鯰魚 / 鲶鱼
niányú
The English word 'catfish' is translated into Chinese as 鯰魚 / 鲶鱼 (niányú). Wiktionary also lists 鮎形目 / 鲇形目 (niánxíngmù).
Meaning: type of fish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 鯰魚 / 鲶鱼 | niányú |
| 鮎形目 / 鲇形目 | niánxíngmù |
The term refers to the type of fish known as a catfish.
How do you pronounce it?
niányú
Did you know?
- In Chinese business and education, the 'catfish effect' (鯰魚效應) describes adding a high-performer to a stagnant group to motivate others to work harder.
- Unlike English where 'catfish' can be a verb meaning to deceive someone online, the Chinese 鯰魚 is never used as a slang term for internet fraud.
- In the context of Chinese culinary arts, the 鯰魚 is often paired with specific 'warming' ginger and scallions to balance its 'cold' nature in traditional medicine.
Examples in context
- 我最喜欢吃炖鲶鱼，它有独特的味道。I love eating stewed catfish, it has a unique flavor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “catfish” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
