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鳓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
Chinese herring; shadg, 19 strokes, radical 鱼, Very Hard
Chinese herring (Ilisha elongata)unknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼, Very Hard
white herringunknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼, Very Hard
slender shadunknown, 19 strokes, radical 鱼, Very Hard
(le4) T4
  1. 1Chinese herring; shad
  2. 2Chinese herring (Ilisha elongata)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鰳)(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.

Strokes19RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
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

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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 鳓

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

Podcast: 鳓

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AI Study Notes for 鳓

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鳓?

Decomposition of 鳓

IDS Structure⿰鱼勒
Full Character
=
Yu2
left
le4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鳓?

Write 鳓

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Cultural Notes for 鳓

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 鳓

Words Containing This Character1
white herring
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 鳓 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鳓

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