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鲣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jiānskipjack, boniton, 15 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #46890, Very Hard
jiān(jian1) T1
  1. 1skipjack, bonito
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鰹)jiān(jian1)

The character 鲣 (jiān) refers to skipjack tuna, a type of fish commonly found in warm ocean waters. It is often used in Asian cuisine, particularly in sushi and sashimi dishes, and is known for its rich flavor and firm texture. This word is primarily encountered in culinary contexts, especially in discussions about seafood.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#46890DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, skipjack tuna is often featured in dishes like sushi and sashimi, reflecting the influence of Japanese culinary practices on regional dining. The appreciation for fresh seafood is a significant aspect of Chinese gastronomy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, sleek fish swimming swiftly through the ocean. The character 鲣 has the radical for 'fish' (魚) on the left, emphasizing its connection to aquatic life, while the right part suggests the swift motion of the skipjack as it darts through the water. Think of 'jiān' as 'jet' to remind you of the fish's speed.

Meanings of 鲣

jiān(jian1)
1skipjack, bonito
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鲣

Simplified
Traditional
15Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鲣

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 鲣

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big, sleek fish swimming swiftly through the ocean. The character 鲣 has the radical for 'fish' (魚) on the left, emphasizing its connection to aquatic life, while the right part suggests the swift motion of the skipjack as it darts through the water. Think of 'jiān' as 'jet' to remind you of the fish's speed.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 鲣 with similar fish names, such as 鮪 (wěi) for tuna. It's important to use 鲣 specifically for skipjack and to be aware of its culinary context. This term is more commonly used in informal settings, such as restaurants or cooking discussions.

HSK Study Tips

While 鲣 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for learners focusing on food and dining. Students should connect it to other seafood-related vocabulary, enhancing their ability to discuss meals in Mandarin. Pay attention to the pronunciation, ensuring the correct tone is used.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, skipjack tuna is often featured in dishes like sushi and sashimi, reflecting the influence of Japanese culinary practices on regional dining. The appreciation for fresh seafood is a significant aspect of Chinese gastronomy.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 鲣 to refer to all types of tuna, but it specifically denotes skipjack. A common error is saying '我喜欢吃鲣鱼' (I like to eat skipjack fish) without understanding that 鲣 refers to a specific type of fish.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲣

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Etymology of 鲣

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

fish

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鲣?

Decomposition of 鲣

IDS Structure⿰鱼坚
Full Character
=
Yu2
left
jian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鲣?

Write 鲣

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 鲣

鲣 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

____鸟栖息在外海地区。

Gannets are denizens of the open ocean.

Example Sentences for 鲣 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
鲣鸟栖息在外海地区。

jiān niǎo qī xī zài wài hǎi dì qū。

Gannets are denizens of the open ocean.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

Gannets are denizens of the open ocean.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Cultural Notes for 鲣

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, skipjack tuna is often featured in dishes like sushi and sashimi, reflecting the influence of Japanese culinary practices on regional dining. The appreciation for fresh seafood is a significant aspect of Chinese gastronomy.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, skipjack tuna is often less recognized compared to other types of tuna like albacore or bluefin, which may lead to different culinary uses and preferences.

Word Family of 鲣

Words Containing This Character1
jiānbonito
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 鲣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鲣

鲣 is often used in sushi, sashimi, and various seafood dishes, particularly in coastal regions.