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鱼
yú
What does "鱼" mean in English?
fish我喜欢在湖边钓鱼。
I like to fish by the lake.
How to use "鱼" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
general
A cold-blooded aquatic animal with gills, fins, and scales, typically living in water.
河里有很多鱼。
There are many fish in the river.
他养了一缸金鱼。
He keeps a tank of goldfish.
In Chinese, '鱼' can refer to any fish species unless specified otherwise (e.g., '金鱼' for goldfish).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing '鱼' from '肉'
In Chinese, '鱼' specifically refers to fish, while '肉' means meat (from mammals). For seafood like shrimp or crab, use '虾' or '蟹'.
Gold Rule
Plurality in Chinese
Chinese nouns like '鱼' do not change form for plural. Use a number or classifier (e.g., '一条鱼' for one fish, '两条鱼' for two fish).
Word Origin
From Old Chinese *ŋa, related to Proto-Sino-Tibetan *ŋa (fish). The character 鱼 depicts a fish with fins and scales.
Usage Notes
In Chinese cuisine, '鱼' is often used to refer to edible fish, especially in dishes like '清蒸鱼' (steamed fish). The term is gender-neutral and applies to all fish species.
Word Breakdown
鱼
fish
root汉英词典