鱼

• Pinyin: yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 鱼 = simplified pictograph of a fish, originally showing head, body, and tail

Meaning

Fish. An aquatic animal, and one of the most common foods in Chinese cuisine.

Refers to both live fish and fish as food. Extremely culturally significant because 鱼 (yú) sounds the same as 余 (surplus/abundance). Fish is traditionally served at Chinese New Year to symbolise 年年有余 (having abundance year after year). Common in compounds like 金鱼 (goldfish).

Examples

1. 妈妈今天做了一条鱼。 Mom cooked a fish today.
2. 我很喜欢吃鱼。 I really like eating fish.
3. 河里有很多小鱼。 There are many little fish in the river.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, food, cooking

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今天的鱼很新鲜。(Today's fish is very fresh.)
• 你想吃什么鱼？(What kind of fish do you want to eat?)

Don't Say

• 我养了一个鱼。(Don't use 个 for fish — use 条: 我养了一条鱼.)

Origin & History

Pictograph depicting a fish with head, body, scales, and tail. One of the oldest Chinese characters, found on oracle bones.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal