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鲥 is a phono-semantic compound used for a type of fish. The semantic radical 鱼 (fish) indicates the general category, while the phonetic 时 (time or season) provides the pronunciation and hints at the fish's behavior. Its traditional form is 鰣, composed of 魚 and 時. The fish it denotes, the Reeves' shad or hilsa herring, is known for its annual upstream spawning migration at a predictable time in early summer. Thus, the components 'fish' and 'time' together reflect this defining seasonal trait. The character is reserved exclusively for this fish, which is highly regarded in Chinese cuisine and zoology.
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