水滴鱼
shuǐdīyú
The English word "blobfish" is translated into Chinese as 水滴鱼 (shuǐdīyú).
水滴鱼 refers to the Psychrolutes marcidus, commonly known as the blobfish.
Meaning: Psychrolutes marcidus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 水 (water), 滴 (drop) and 鱼 (fish), literally meaning "water drop fish".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is shuǐdīyú.
Did you know?
- The name 水滴鱼 is based on the fish's appearance when brought to the surface. In its deep-sea habitat, the blobfish does not look like a 'water drop' but resembles a normal fish.
- While 'blob' implies something unrefined, the term 水滴 ('water drop') evokes a clean and aesthetic image in written Chinese.
- While 水滴鱼 is the standard term, internet users in China often use the word 丑 ('ugly') in memes to describe it, mirroring global trends of the fish being called the world's ugliest animal.
Examples in context
- 这只水滴鱼长得真奇怪。Zhè zhī shuǐdīyú zhǎng de zhēn qíguài.This blobfish looks really strange.
- 你在看水滴鱼的照片吗？Nǐ zài kàn shuǐdīyú de zhàopiàn ma?Are you looking at a photo of a blobfish?
- 水滴鱼生活在深海里。Shuǐdīyú shēnghuó zài shēnhǎi lǐ.Blobfish live in the deep sea.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature documentary on a tablet.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，那是什么？Nǐ kàn, nà shì shénme?Look, what is that?
- 俊杰 Junjie那是水滴鱼。Nà shì shuǐdīyú.That is a blobfish.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen它的样子好可爱啊。Tā de yàngzi hǎo kě'ài a.It looks so cute.
- 俊杰 Junjie很多人觉得它很丑。Hěnduō rén juédé tā hěn chǒu.Many people think it is ugly.
