Koi in Chinese
The Chinese word for koi is 锦鲤 (jǐn lǐ). Literally “brocade carp”: the colourful koi. In traditional characters it is written 錦鯉.
jǐn lǐ
Koi
What 锦鲤 means.
In the legend of the carp leaping the Dragon Gate (鲤鱼跃龙门), a carp that swims up the waterfall becomes a dragon, a symbol of perseverance and success. Online, 锦鲤 also means a lucky charm.
- 锦
- brocade, brilliant
- 鲤
- carp
Simplified and traditional
锦鲤
錦鯉
Both are correct and mean the same. Traditional 錦鯉 keeps the older, fuller shape that calligraphy grew up with; simplified 锦鲤 is what most Chinese readers use today. Our seal and clerical styles write it in the traditional form.
About koi in Chinese
How do you write koi in Chinese?
Koi is 锦鲤 in Chinese, pronounced jǐn lǐ. Koi 锦 means “brocade, brilliant”, 鲤 means “carp”.
How do you pronounce 锦鲤?
Say jǐn (third tone, dipping), lǐ (third tone, dipping). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 锦鲤 different in traditional Chinese?
Yes. The traditional form is 錦鯉, used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and classical calligraphy; 锦鲤 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore. Both are correct.
Is 锦鲤 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.