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鲥 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲥shíReeves' shad; hilsa herringn, 15 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #70888, Very Hard
鲥shíshadunknown, 15 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #70888, Very Hard
鲥shíIlisha elongataunknown, 15 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #70888, Very Hard
shí(shi2)shi T2
  1. 1Reeves' shad; hilsa herring
  2. 2shad
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March 24, 2026

鲥(鰣)shí(shi2)

鲥 (shí) refers to a type of fish known as Reeves' shad or hilsa herring, which is found in East Asia. This fish is often prized for its taste and is commonly used in various culinary dishes, particularly in coastal regions where it is abundant. It holds significance in certain cultural and culinary contexts, especially during festivals and special occasions.

Strokes15Radical鱼Frequency#70888DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, fish like 鲥 are often associated with prosperity and abundance, making them a popular choice during celebratory meals such as the Lunar New Year. Specific preparation methods and dishes highlight the cultural significance of this fish.

Memory tip

Imagine a chef holding a shiny fish (鲥) that glimmers like a silver coin. The pronunciation 'shí' sounds like 'she' followed by a soft 'ee'—think of a chef saying 'She cooks fish!' This visual connection helps you remember both the character and its meaning.

Meanings of 鲥

shí(shi2)
1Reeves' shad; hilsa herring
2shad
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鲥

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

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Podcast: 鲥

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AI study notes for 鲥

Usage Notes

鲥 is typically used in more formal or culinary contexts, and learners should be mindful of its specific usage when discussing types of fish. A common mistake is confusing it with other fish names in Chinese, so pay attention to context and collocations like 鲥鱼 (shí yú) for 'shad fish.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 鲥 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can enrich your understanding of food-related terms. Focus on the character's components: 魚 (fish) signifies its meaning, and recognizing this radical can help you connect with other fish-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鲥 with similar fish names like 鮭 (guī) for salmon or 鱻 (xiān) for fresh fish. To avoid this, focus on the distinctive character components and remember that 鲥 specifically refers to shad.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲥

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Etymology of 鲥

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

fish

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

Origin

鲥 = 鱼 + 时. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鲥

IDS Structure⿰鱼时
鲥Full character
=
鱼Yu2
left
时shi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鲥?

How to say Reeves' shad; hilsa herring in Chinese

“Reeves' shad; hilsa herring” in Chinese is鲥shí

鲥 (shí) refers to a type of fish known as Reeves' shad or hilsa herring, which is found in East Asia. This fish is often prized for its taste and is commonly used in various culinary dishes, particularly in coastal regions where it is abundant. It holds significance in certain cultural and culinary contexts, especially during festivals and special occasions.

When to use 鲥

鲥 is typically used in more formal or culinary contexts, and learners should be mindful of its specific usage when discussing types of fish. A common mistake is confusing it with other fish names in Chinese, so pay attention to context and collocations like 鲥鱼 (shí yú) for 'shad fish.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鲥 with similar fish names like 鮭 (guī) for salmon or 鱻 (xiān) for fresh fish. To avoid this, focus on the distinctive character components and remember that 鲥 specifically refers to shad.

Write 鲥

鲥

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

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Word Family of 鲥

Words containing this character2
鲥鱼Reeves shad (Tenualosa reevesii)鰣魚
鲥shíshad鰣
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 鲥

What does 鲥鱼 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鲥

鲥 has a delicate and slightly sweet flavor, often enjoyed grilled or steamed.

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