鲈鱼
lúyú
The English phrase sea bass is 鲈鱼 (lúyú) in Mandarin.
The term refers to salt-water fish.
Meaning: salt-water fish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
鲈鱼 is a compound of 鲈 (lú), meaning bass and 鱼 (yú), meaning fish.
Which one should you use?
While 鲈鱼 is the standard full name, the single character 鲈 can be used as a shorthand for the fish in certain culinary contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
lúyú
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese poetry, mentioning 鲈鱼 often serves as a coded signal to the reader that the poem is about returning home or longing for one's birthplace.
- Chinese cuisine often prepares 鲈鱼 whole, head and tail included, as serving a partial fish can symbolize an incomplete or unsuccessful endeavor.
- In Chinese culture, the word for fish, 鱼 (yú), sounds almost identical to the word for abundance, 余 (yú). This linguistic coincidence makes fish-related dishes a staple at Lunar New Year celebrations to symbolize prosperity.
Examples in context
- 这种鲈鱼很新鲜。Zhè zhǒng lúyú hěn xīnxiān.This kind of sea bass is very fresh.
- 我想点一份清蒸鲈鱼。Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yī fèn qīngzhēng lúyú.I would like to order a steamed sea bass.
- 这盘鲈鱼的味道很好。Zhè pán lúyú de wèidào hěn hǎo.The taste of this sea bass dish is great.
Example conversation
At a seafood restaurant, Zhiqiang and Yuting are looking at the menu.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你想吃什么鱼？Yǔtíng, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme yú?Yuting, what kind of fish do you want to eat?
- 雨婷 Yuting我听说这里的鲈鱼不错。Wǒ tīngshuō zhèlǐ de lúyú bùcuò.I heard the sea bass here is quite good.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们就点这道鲈鱼吧。Nà wǒmen jiù diǎn zhè dào lúyú ba.Then let's order this sea bass.
- 雨婷 Yuting好，志强，我也很期待。Hǎo, Zhìqiáng, wǒ yě hěn qīdài.Okay, Zhiqiang, I am looking forward to it too.
