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鲗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲗zéicuttlefishx, 14 strokes, radical 鱼
zéi(zei2)zei T2
  1. 1cuttlefish
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March 24, 2026

鲗(鰂)zéi(zei2)

The character 鲗 (zéi) refers to cuttlefish, a type of marine cephalopod known for its unique ability to change color and texture. In culinary contexts, cuttlefish is appreciated for its tender texture and is often used in various dishes, particularly in Asian cuisines. The term may also carry connotations of delicacy and sophistication in the context of seafood.

Strokes14Radical鱼
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, cuttlefish is considered a delicacy and is often featured in festive dishes, particularly during celebrations where seafood is a symbol of prosperity. It reflects the importance of seafood in coastal regions of China.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'zéi' of cuttlefish swimming under the sea, its body shifting colors like a chameleon. The character 鲗 has the radical for fish (鱼) on the bottom, connecting it directly to its meaning as a seafood item, while the top part resembles waves, representing the ocean habitat.

Meanings of 鲗

zéi(zei2)
1cuttlefish
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鲗

鲗Simplified
鰂Traditional
14Strokes
鱼Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鲗

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Podcast: 鲗

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AI study notes for 鲗

Usage Notes

In culinary settings, 鲗 is often used in conjunction with words like 'soup' (汤) or 'dish' (菜). Be careful not to confuse it with similar seafood terms, as the context can indicate different types of fish. This word is more commonly used in informal settings among food enthusiasts.

HSK Study Tips

While 鲗 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial for learners at higher levels interested in food and culinary vocabulary. Students should focus on related seafood terms and their uses in cooking to build a comprehensive culinary lexicon.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鲗 with 鱼 (yú), which means fish in general. Remember that 鲗 specifically refers to cuttlefish, while 鱼 encompasses all types of fish.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲗

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Etymology of 鲗

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

fish

Semantic (meaning)鱼
+
Phonetic (sound)则
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

鲗 = 鱼 + 则. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鲗

IDS Structure⿰鱼则
鲗Full character
=
鱼Yu2
left
则ze2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鲗?

How to say cuttlefish in Chinese

“cuttlefish” in Chinese is鲗zéi

The character 鲗 (zéi) refers to cuttlefish, a type of marine cephalopod known for its unique ability to change color and texture. In culinary contexts, cuttlefish is appreciated for its tender texture and is often used in various dishes, particularly in Asian cuisines. The term may also carry connotations of delicacy and sophistication in the context of seafood.

When to use 鲗

In culinary settings, 鲗 is often used in conjunction with words like 'soup' (汤) or 'dish' (菜). Be careful not to confuse it with similar seafood terms, as the context can indicate different types of fish. This word is more commonly used in informal settings among food enthusiasts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鲗 with 鱼 (yú), which means fish in general. Remember that 鲗 specifically refers to cuttlefish, while 鱼 encompasses all types of fish.

Write 鲗

鲗

Practice writing 鲗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 鲗

Words containing this character1
鲗zéicuttlefish鰂

Frequently asked questions about 鲗

It is pronounced as 'zéi', with a falling tone.

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