This is the 10370th most frequent Japanese word.
鱗
"鱗" means "scale" (as in the scales of a fish or reptile).
Uses "鱗" (scale) to refer to animal scales, specifically from fish.
私は魚の鱗を集めています。
I am collecting fish scales.
Uses "鱗" metaphorically in an idiomatic expression meaning to gain sudden insight.
彼の話を聞いた後、私の目から鱗が落ちた。
After hearing his story, scales fell from my eyes.
Uses "鱗" to describe a mythological creature's scales.