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鲗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲗zéicuttlefishx, 14 strokes, radical 鱼
zéi(zei2) 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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鲗

  1. 1The meaning half鱼 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half则 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfish
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 鲗? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鲗?

Decomposition of 鲗

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

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component 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.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 鲗

Words Containing This Character1
鲗zéicuttlefish鰂
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 鲗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鲗

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

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鲗?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.