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鳘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鳘mǐncodfishg, 19 strokes, radical 鱼
mǐn(min3) T3
  1. 1codfish
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鳘mǐn(min3)

The character 鳘 (mǐn) refers specifically to codfish, a type of fish commonly found in cold waters and valued for its mild flavor and flaky texture. In culinary contexts, it often appears in discussions about seafood dishes or fishing. Its use is relatively specialized and may not be encountered frequently in everyday conversations.

Strokes19Radical鱼
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, fish, including cod, holds cultural significance, particularly during celebrations like the Lunar New Year, where fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity. This character connects to the broader theme of seafood in Chinese dietary customs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a codfish swimming in the ocean, with its body shaped like the character 鳘. The top part, 鳥 (bird), reminds you of something living, while the bottom part, 美 (beautiful), suggests that codfish are considered a beautiful catch in fishing culture. Picture a fisherman proudly displaying his catch of the day!

Meanings of 鳘

mǐn(min3)
1codfish
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鳘

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

Podcast: 鳘

JasonAmy

Podcast: 鳘

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 鳘

Usage Notes

While 鳘 is a specific term for codfish, learners should be cautious about using it in casual conversation, where more general terms for fish may be preferred. It is more commonly found in written contexts, such as recipes or market descriptions. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone 'mǐn' can be confused with other similar-sounding characters.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鳘 is not included in the HSK word lists, it can be useful for learners interested in culinary topics or marine life. Students should focus on recognizing its components and their meanings, as understanding characters can help with memorization and contextual usage in specialized vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鳘 with similar fish-related characters, such as 鱼 (yú). A common mistake is using 鳘 when discussing fish in general, rather than its specific meaning. For example, saying '我喜欢鳘' (I like codfish) when they mean 'I like fish' should use 鱼 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鳘

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Etymology of 鳘

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

fish

Semantic (meaning)鱼
+
Phonetic (sound)敏
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鳘

  1. 1The meaning half鱼 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half敏 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfish
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 鳘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鳘?

Decomposition of 鳘

IDS Structure⿱敏鱼
鳘Full Character
=
敏min3
top
鱼Yu2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鳘?

How to say codfish in Chinese

“codfish” in Chinese is鳘mǐn

The character 鳘 (mǐn) refers specifically to codfish, a type of fish commonly found in cold waters and valued for its mild flavor and flaky texture. In culinary contexts, it often appears in discussions about seafood dishes or fishing. Its use is relatively specialized and may not be encountered frequently in everyday conversations.

When to use 鳘

While 鳘 is a specific term for codfish, learners should be cautious about using it in casual conversation, where more general terms for fish may be preferred. It is more commonly found in written contexts, such as recipes or market descriptions. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone 'mǐn' can be confused with other similar-sounding characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鳘 with similar fish-related characters, such as 鱼 (yú). A common mistake is using 鳘 when discussing fish in general, rather than its specific meaning. For example, saying '我喜欢鳘' (I like codfish) when they mean 'I like fish' should use 鱼 instead.

Write 鳘

鳘

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 鳘

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While cod is a staple in many Western cuisines, in China, the preference for fish may lean towards varieties that are less commonly found in Western markets, reflecting regional dietary customs and availability.

Frequently Asked Questions about 鳘

It is pronounced as 'mǐn', with a falling-rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鳘?

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.