Meanings of 鳃
By ear
Play it, then pick what 鳃 means.
About 鳃
Podcast: 鳃
Podcast: 鳃
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 鳃
鳍 (qí) - choose 鳃 when referring specifically to gills, while 鳍 refers to fins.
Be cautious when using this term, as it's specific to fish and not applicable to other animals. It's also more common in formal or scientific discussions rather than casual conversation about food. A common mistake is to confuse 鳃 with similar-sounding words that relate to other body parts.
Although 鳃 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to Level 3 terms related to animals and biology. Focus on learning related vocabulary such as 鱼 (yú, fish) and 水 (shuǐ, water) to build a richer understanding of aquatic life.
Learners often confuse 鳃 with similar-sounding characters like 塞 (sāi), which means 'to block'. Make sure to remember that 鳃 specifically relates to the gills of fish, not a blocking action.
Pronunciation of 鳃
Drill the tone of 鳃, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 鳃 to you
Let me explain 鳃 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 鳃 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 鳃?
Learning Lab
Knowing 鳃 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 鳃
Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 思 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鰓.
fish
Origin
鳃 = 鱼 + 思. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 鳃
Parts
Which of these is part of 鳃?
How to say fish gills in Chinese
“fish gills” in Chinese is鳃
The character 鳃 (sāi) refers specifically to the gills of fish, which are the respiratory organs that allow them to extract oxygen from water. It is primarily used in contexts related to fish anatomy and aquaculture, and understanding this term can enhance your knowledge of seafood and marine biology in Chinese culture.
When to use 鳃
Be cautious when using this term, as it's specific to fish and not applicable to other animals. It's also more common in formal or scientific discussions rather than casual conversation about food. A common mistake is to confuse 鳃 with similar-sounding words that relate to other body parts.
鳃 or something close to it
鳍 (qí) - choose 鳃 when referring specifically to gills, while 鳍 refers to fins.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鳃 with similar-sounding characters like 塞 (sāi), which means 'to block'. Make sure to remember that 鳃 specifically relates to the gills of fish, not a blocking action.
Write 鳃
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 鳃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 鳃
鳃 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). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
鱼类的____与陆上动物的肺类似.
The gills of fishes are analogous to the lungs in terrestrial animals.
Example sentences for 鳃 (2)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 鳃?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 鳃
Words with 鳃
What does 鳃裂 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 鳃
Fish gills are not typically used in dishes, but they are important for assessing the freshness of fish in culinary contexts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 鳃?
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.