carp
鯉 centers on the carp, a specific freshwater fish. The meaning is straightforward and refers directly to the animal.
鯉 is a phono-semantic compound: the fish radical 魚 indicates the meaning 'fish', while 里 (リ) provides the sound. This structure is typical for naming specific fish species.
The left side 魚 means fish, and the right side 里 looks like a rice field and village. Picture a carp swimming through flooded rice fields near a village—a classic Japanese rural scene.
For リ, imagine a carp leaping up a waterfall with a mighty 'ree!' sound: ree -> リ, like the fish's energetic cry.
common carp (Cyprinus carpio); koi carp
koinobori; carp streamer; carp-shaped windsock traditionally flown to celebrate the Children's Day in May
coloured carp; colored carp
someone doomed to their fate; fish on the chopping board
someone doomed to their fate; fish on the chopping board
striped mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Hemibarbus barbus (species of cyprinid)
someone doomed to their fate; fish on the chopping board
koi carp caught during the cold season
rosy goatfish (Parupeneus chrysopleuron); yellow-striped goatfish
black carp; black koi
red carp; golden carp
barred flagtail (Kuhlia mugil); five-bar flagtail
carp breeding
carp cooked in miso soup
koi herpes virus; KHV
opening of a scabbard; mouth of a sword sheath
to loosen one's sword slightly in the scabbard