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鳓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鳓lèChinese herring; shadg, 19 strokes, radical 鱼
鳓lèChinese herring (Ilisha elongata)unknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼
鳓lèwhite herringunknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼
鳓lèslender shadunknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼
lè(le4)le T4
  1. 1Chinese herring; shad
  2. 2Chinese herring (Ilisha elongata)
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March 24, 2026

鳓(鰳)lè(le4)

The character 鳓 (lè) refers to a type of fish known as Chinese herring or shad, specifically Ilisha elongata. This fish is commonly found in Chinese waters and is noted for its slender body and culinary value, often featured in traditional dishes.

Strokes19Radical鱼
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, 鳓 (lè) is often used in traditional dishes, highlighting the importance of local fish in the diet and culture of coastal communities. This fish is sometimes featured in festivals celebrating the bounties of the sea.

Memory tip

Think of 鳓 (lè) as a 'slender fish' with a long body (the top part of the character looks like a fish swimming). The radical 鳥 (bird) suggests that it is a creature from the water, and the sound 'lè' can remind you of the sound of waves lapping at the shore.

Meanings of 鳓

lè(le4)
1Chinese herring; shad
2Chinese herring (Ilisha elongata)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鳓

鳓Simplified
鰳Traditional
19Strokes
鱼Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 鳓

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AI study notes for 鳓

Usage Notes

This term is generally used in culinary contexts or discussions about marine life. A common mistake is to confuse it with other fish names; make sure to use it specifically when referring to Chinese herring. Note that it is more formal and specific than just saying 'fish' (鱼, yú).

HSK Study Tips

While 鳓 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK level 3 and 4 vocabulary related to food and animals. Students should focus on understanding terms relating to aquatic life to better appreciate regional dishes and culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鳓 (lè) with 鱼 (yú), which means 'fish' in general. Remember that 鳓 is a specific type of fish, not a generic term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鳓

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Etymology of 鳓

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

fish

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

Origin

鳓 = 鱼 + 勒. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鳓

IDS Structure⿰鱼勒
鳓Full character
=
鱼Yu2
left
勒le4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鳓?

How to say Chinese herring; shad in Chinese

“Chinese herring; shad” in Chinese is鳓lè

The character 鳓 (lè) refers to a type of fish known as Chinese herring or shad, specifically Ilisha elongata. This fish is commonly found in Chinese waters and is noted for its slender body and culinary value, often featured in traditional dishes.

When to use 鳓

This term is generally used in culinary contexts or discussions about marine life. A common mistake is to confuse it with other fish names; make sure to use it specifically when referring to Chinese herring. Note that it is more formal and specific than just saying 'fish' (鱼, yú).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鳓 (lè) with 鱼 (yú), which means 'fish' in general. Remember that 鳓 is a specific type of fish, not a generic term.

Write 鳓

鳓

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Word Family of 鳓

Words containing this character1
鳓lèwhite herring鰳

Frequently asked questions about 鳓

鳓 (lè) refers specifically to the Chinese herring or shad, known for its slender shape.

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