鱗
also: こけ · こけら
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the individual protective plates on fish, reptiles, and similar animals. Common in everyday language.
I remove the fish scales before cooking.
Snake scales are dry and smooth.
2
serif (on kana or kanji)
usually written using kana alone
Typography term for the small decorative strokes at the ends of character lines, especially in Mincho-style fonts. Often contrasted with sans-serif (ゴシック体).
Characters in Mincho font have serifs.
This font has pronounced serifs and is easy to read.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の鱗を取るto scale (a fish), removing its scales
I scale the fish with a kitchen knife.
- 〈物〉に鱗があるfor a typeface to have serifs
Mincho-style characters have serifs.
- 鱗が光るfor scales to glisten or shine
The fish's scales glisten in the sunlight.