How to Write 鲢 (lián) — Meaning “Silver carp”

Imagine a silver carp fish that is connected to other fish in a long chain, since 连 (on the right) means 'connect'. You can also remember that 'lián' sounds like 'lion', but this fish is a harmless carp.

Pay attention to the proportion: the left radical 鱼 should be narrow, and the right part 连 should be slightly wider. A common mistake is writing the 辶 (walking radical) in 连 incorrectly; make sure the last stroke (the sweeping curve) is smooth and does not cross over the upper part.

The key difference is the right side component: 鲢 has 连 (connect), 鲅 has 发 (fa, meaning 'emit'), and 鲆 has 平 (ping, meaning 'flat'). Visually, 鲢 looks like a fish plus a structure with a roof (辶), while the others have different right parts. Also, each refers to a different fish: silver carp (鲢), Spanish mackerel (鲅), and flatfish (鲆).

鲢 is primarily used in culinary contexts, especially when naming fish species like 鲢鱼 (silver carp) in Chinese grocery stores and recipes. Silver carp is a common freshwater fish in Chinese cuisine, often used in hot pot, steamed dishes, or fish balls. It is not as culturally famous as some other fish, but it is a staple ingredient in many regional dishes.

Common words containing 鲢 include: 鲢鱼 (lián yú) — Silver carp; 白鲢 (bái lián) — Silver carp; 花鲢 (huā lián) — Bighead carp.