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虫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
虫chónglower form of animal life, including insects, insect larvae, worms and similar creaturesn, 6 strokes, radical 虫, rank #2556, Medium
虫chóngperson with a particular undesirable characteristicn, 6 strokes, radical 虫, rank #2556, Medium
虫chónginsect, worm; molluskn, 6 strokes, radical 虫, rank #2556, Medium
chóng(chong2)chong T2
  1. 1lower form of animal life, including insects, insect larvae, worms and similar creatures
  2. 2person with a particular undesirable characteristic
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March 24, 2026

虫(蟲)chóng(chong2)

The character 虫 (chóng) refers to lower forms of animal life, primarily insects, worms, and similar creatures. It can also denote individuals with undesirable characteristics, often used in a derogatory sense. Common contexts include discussions about nature, biology, and informal conversations regarding behavior.

Strokes6Radical虫Frequency#2556DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, insects are sometimes associated with traditional medicine and cuisine, reflecting a unique perspective on lower life forms that differs from Western views. For example, some regions consider certain insects a delicacy.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'charming' little worm (虫) wriggling in the dirt. The character's squiggly form resembles a worm or insect, and the pronunciation 'chóng' sounds like 'charm'—a contrast to the undesirable traits it can describe.

Meanings of 虫

chóng(chong2)
1lower form of animal life, including insects, insect larvae, worms and similar creatures
2person with a particular undesirable characteristic
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 虫

虫Simplified
蟲Traditional
6Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2556Frequency Rank
条Measure Word

Podcast: 虫

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Podcast: 虫

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AI study notes for 虫

Quick Contrast

虫 (chóng) vs 蟲 (chóng) — use 虫 for general insects and lower life forms, while 蟲 is often used in specific contexts or traditional terms.

Usage Notes

Be cautious using 虫 in a derogatory context, as it can come off as offensive in certain situations. It commonly collocates with words like '虫子' (insects) and '害虫' (pests). Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

While 虫 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to animals and nature. Students should focus on its usage in compound words, such as '虫子' and '虫害,' to enhance vocabulary related to the environment.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 虫 with other similar characters due to its pronunciation. For example, saying 'zhǒng' instead of 'chóng' is incorrect. Additionally, some may use it too casually when referring to people, which can be offensive.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 虫

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Etymology of 虫

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a worm.

Phonetic (sound)中
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 虫?

Decomposition of 虫

IDS Structure⿱中?
虫Full character
=
中Zhong1
top
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 虫?

How to say lower form of animal life, including insects, insect larvae, worms and similar creatures in Chinese

“lower form of animal life, including insects, insect larvae, worms and similar creatures” in Chinese is虫chóng

The character 虫 (chóng) refers to lower forms of animal life, primarily insects, worms, and similar creatures. It can also denote individuals with undesirable characteristics, often used in a derogatory sense. Common contexts include discussions about nature, biology, and informal conversations regarding behavior.

When to use 虫

Be cautious using 虫 in a derogatory context, as it can come off as offensive in certain situations. It commonly collocates with words like '虫子' (insects) and '害虫' (pests). Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.

虫 or something close to it

虫 (chóng) vs 蟲 (chóng) — use 虫 for general insects and lower life forms, while 蟲 is often used in specific contexts or traditional terms.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 虫 with other similar characters due to its pronunciation. For example, saying 'zhǒng' instead of 'chóng' is incorrect. Additionally, some may use it too casually when referring to people, which can be offensive.

Write 虫

虫

Practice writing 虫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 虫

虫 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我继续研究飞蛾,并将研究范围扩展到其他昆____。

I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.

Example sentences for 虫 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我继续研究飞蛾,并将研究范围扩展到其他昆虫。

wǒ jìxù yánjiū fēi é, bìng jiāng yánjiū fànwéi kuòzhǎn dào qítā kūnchóng。

I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.
2
蜜蜂之间所用的交流方式是昆虫中最为复杂的方式之一。

mìfēng zhījiān suǒ yòng de jiāoliú fāngshì shì kūnchóng zhōng zuì wèi fùzá de fāngshì zhīyī。

Honeybees use one of the most sophisticated communication systems of any insect.
3
由于幼虫对药物有免疫力,因此必须经常喷药。

yóuyú yòu chóng duì yàowù yǒu miǎnyì lì, yīncǐ bìxū jīngcháng pēn yào。

Because of the immunity of the immature insects, it'simportant to spray regularly.
4
昆虫很讨厌皮肤内维生素的气味。

kūnchóng hěn tǎoyàn pífū nèi wéishēngsù de qìwèi。

The odour of vitamin in skin is repugnant to insects.
5
有机食品是未使用人工化学制剂和杀虫剂的纯净食品。

yǒujī shípǐn shì wèi shǐyòng réngōng huàxué zhì jì hé shā chóng jì de chún jìng shípǐn。

Organic food is unadulterated food produced without artificial chemicals or pesticides.
6
蚜虫正在毁掉一片片的小麦和大麦田地。

yá chóng zhèngzài huǐ diào yī piàn piàn de xiǎomài hé dà mài tián dì。

The aphid is now laying waste to the wheat and barley fields.
7
只有化作他肚子里的蛔虫才有可能猜出他在想什么。

zhǐyǒu huà zuō tā dùzi lǐ de huí chóng cái yǒu kěnéng cāi chū tā zài xiǎng shénme。

Only by being him can you hope to outguess him.
8
本图所示为蝗虫的纵剖面.

běn tú suǒ shì wèi huáng chóng de zòng pōu miàn.

This illustration shows a vertical section through the locust.
9
所有的成年狗至少每半年要例行打一次虫。

suǒyǒu de chéngnián gǒu zhìshǎo měi bànnián yào lì xíng dǎ yī cì chóng。

All adult dogs are routinely wormed at least every six months.
10
直到1963年,甲壳虫乐队还只是半红不紫。

zhídào1963 nián, jiǎ ké chóng yuèduì hái zhǐshì bàn hóng bù zǐ。

The Beatles enjoyed only middling success until

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Word Family of 虫

Compounds490
蛋dànegg
强jiàngsurname Qiang
独dúalone
蠢chǔnvariant of 蠢[chǔn]
虽suīalthough
触chùto touch
朗lǎngclear
蜜mìhoney
蛇shévariant of 蛇[shé]
融róngto melt
蜂fēngvariant of 蜂[fēng]
蛮mánbarbarian
蛛zhūspider
蜡làcandle
蜘zhīspider
虾háshrimp, prawn
烛zhúcandle
螺luóspiral shell, conch; spiral
蚁yǐant
蝶diévariant of 蝶[dié]
蝙biānbat
蝠fúbat
蝴húbutterfly
蛙wāfrog
蝇yíngfly, musca
蟹xiècrab, brachyura
虹hóngrainbow
蚂mādragonfly
螂lángmantis, dung beetle
蚀shíto nibble away at sth
蟑zhāngcockroach
蜥xīlizard
螃pángcrab
蛤géclam
蚊wénmosquito, gnat
蜴yìlizard
虱shībug, louse, parasite
蝎xiēscorpion
蚤zǎoflea; louse
茧jiǎncocoon; callus, blister
萤yíngfirefly, glow-worm
蛎lìoyster
蛭zhìleech
蛆qūmaggot
蟆máfrog, toad
蜗wōsnail; Eulota callizoma
蜚fēicockroach
蚕cánsilkworm
蠕rúwasp; to wriggle, to squirm
蛾émoth
蜷quánto curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm
蜻qīngdragonfly
蜓tíngdragonfly
蟋xīcricket (1)
蟀shuàicricket (2)
蜇zhējellyfish
蛊gǔpoison, venom; to bewitch, to harm
蚱zhàgrasshopper; locust, cicada
蟒mǎngpython, boa constrictor
蜊líclam
蟾chántoad (1)
蛀zhùtermite, bookworm; to bore, to eat into
螳tángpraying mantis
蜍chútoad (2)
蜕tuìto molt
蝉cháncicada; continuous
蛰zhéto hibernate
蚪dǒutadpole
浊zhuóturbid
蝌kētadpole
蚓yǐnearthworm (2)
蚯qiūearthworm (1)
蝗huánglocust
蚌bàngoysters, mussels; mother-of-pearl
蜀shǔthe name of an ancient state
蟠pánto occupy; to coil; curled up, coiled
蚜yáaphid, plant louse
蜢měnggrasshopper
螨mǎnmite, insect
螯áoclaws, pincers
蜉fúwasp; mayfly; large ant
蝣yóumayfly; Ephemera strigata
蜈wúcentipede
蜿wānto creep, to crawl
蚣gōngcentipede
蜒yánmillipede
蛔huítapeworm
螈yuánsilkworm
蝦xiāshrimp, prawn
蝾rónglizard
蚝háoa poisonous hairy caterpillar
蛹yǒngpupa, chrysalis
蟌cōng
蜃shènclam; sea serpent
螫shìpoison, sting; poisonous insect
蛐qūcricket; worm
蝼lóumole cricket; Gryllotalpa africana
強qiángstrong, powerful, energetic
蜱pítick, mite
郞láng
蝻nǎnimmature locust
蛟jiāoa legendary scaled dragon
蠹dùmoth, bookworm; moth-eaten, worm-eaten
蝰kuíforest viper; meadow viper
蟊máoSpanish fly; grain-eating grub
蠔háooyster
蟄zhéto hibernate
虬qiúyoung dragon
蛲náoparasitic worm; human pinworm
蛳sīa snail with a spiral shell
蚶hānclam, bivalve; Arca inflata
螅xīintestinal worm
蝮fùviper, venomous snake
蜣qiāngdung beetle
蠖huòinch-worm; looper caterpiller
蝈guōcicada, grasshopper; small green frog
蟥huángleech
蜮yùtoad; legendary turtle
蛃bǐng
蟃wàn
蠟làcandle, wax; maggot
蚴yòularva
蚩chīworm; ignorant, rustic; to laugh at
蛗fù
蚵héoyster
蛌gǔ
蚋ruìmosquito, gnat
蠓měngmidge, sandfly
蚍pímussels, shellfish
虮jǐnits, lice
虰dīngdragonfly
虷hán
虺huīa large venomous snake
虻ménghorsefly, gadfly
虼gèflea
虿chàiscorpion
蚆bā
蚈qiān
蚉wén
蚔qí
蚖yuánsalamander, newt
蚡fén
蚦rán
蚧jièhorny toad; red-spotted lizard
蚨fúa kind of water beetle; cash, dollars, money
蚬xiǎnclam, bivalve; Cyclina orientalis
蚰yóumillipede
蚳chí
蚹fù
蚺ránboa constrictor
蚻zhá
蚽pí
蚿xián
蛁diāo
蛄gūmole cricket
蛅zhān
蛉língdragonfly, sandfly; Libellulidae
蛍yíng
蛏chēngrazor clam
蛑móua marine crab
蛓cì
蛘yángrice weevil
蛚liè
蛜yīwoodlouse
蛞kuòsnail, slug; mole cricket
蛡yì
蛣qī
蛧wǎng
蛩qióngcricket, locust; anxious
蛱jiábutterfly, nymphalid
蛴qígrubs, maggots
蛵xīngdragonfly
蛸shāooctopus; long-legged spider; mantis nest
蜅fǔ
蜎yuānmosquito larva
蜑dàn
蜛jū
蜞qílightfoot crab; worm, leech
蜩tiáocicada, broad locust
蜽liǎng
蜾guǒsolitary wasp; potter wasp
蝀dōng
蝃dì
蝄wǎng
蝋là
蝍jié
蝏tíng
蝐mào
蝒mián
蝓yúsnail
蝘yǎn
蝛wēi
蝝yuán
蝤qiúgrub, larva
蝥máoSpanish fly; grain-eating grub
蝲là
蝳dú
蝽chūnbedbug
螀jiāng
螉wēngwasp
螋sōuearwig, millipede, spider
螒hàn
螓qína small cicada with a square head
螗tánga kind of cicada
螘yǐ
螙dù
螚nài
螟míngcaterpillar, larva
螣téng
螥cāng
螬cáogrubs found in fruit
螭chīcruel; a young dragon
螵piāochrysalis
螽zhōngkatydid
螾yǐn
蟅zhè
蟏xiāoa long-legged spider
蟓xiàngsilkworm
蟛péngland-crab; Grapsus
蟜jiǎoinsect
蟟liáocicada
蟢xǐspider; caulking
蟨jué
蟪huìa kind of cicada; Platypleura
蟭jiāomite, larva; mantis egg
蟮shànearthworm
蟳xún
蟷dāng
蟺shàn
蟿qì
蠁xiǎng
蠂shè
蠃luǒsolitary wasp; paper wasp
蠊liáncockroach
蠋zhú
蠗zhuó
蠙pín
蠚hē
蠛mièsmall fly
蠜fán
蠡lítermite; to bore
蠧dù
蠩zhū
蠮yēbee
蠰náng
蠵xīlarge turtle
蠸quán
蠼qúearwig
蠽jié
闽mǐnFujian province; a river; a tribe
騒sāo
剆luǒ
勆láng
掻sāo
欴láng
瓥lì
痋téng
繭jiǎncocoon; callus, blister
虄sà
虭diāo
虯qiú
虲xiā
虳jué
虴zhé
虵shé
虶yū
虸zǐ
蚃xiǎng
蚄fāng
蚅è
蚇chǐ
蚎yuè
蚏yuè
蚐jūn
蚑qí
蚒tóng
蚗jué
蚘huí
蚙qín
蚚qí
蚛zhòng
蚞mù
蚟wáng
蚠fén
蚢háng
蚥fù
蚫bào
蚭ní
蚮dài
蚲píng
蚷jù
蚸lì
蚼gǒu
蚾pí
蛂bié
蛈tiě
蛒gé
蛕huí
蛖máng
蛝xián
蛠lì
蛢píng
蛥shé
蛦yí
蛨mò
蛪qiè
蛫guǐ
蛬qióng
蛯lǎo
蛶jiè
蛷qiú
蛺jiábutterfly, nymphalid
蛻tuìto molt
蛼chē
蛽bèi
蛿hàn
蜁xuán
蜄shèn
蜆xiàn
蜋láng
蜌bì
蜏yǒu
蜐jié
蜔diàn
蜖huí
蜙sōng
蜝qí
蜟yù
蜠jùn
蜤sī
蜦lún
蜧lì
蜨dié
蜪táo
蜫kūn
蜬hán
蜭hàn
蜯bàng
蜰féi
蜲wēi
蜳dūn
蜵yuān
蜶suò
蜸qiǎn
蜹ruì
蜺ní
蜼wèi
蝁è
蝂bǎn
蝅cán
蝆yǎng
蝊dìng
蝑xū
蝔jiē
蝕shíto nibble at, to erode; an eclipse
蝖xuān
蝚róu
蝜fù
蝞mèi
蝟wèiporcupine, hedgehog; many, varied; vulgar, low
蝡rú
蝢xié
蝧yīng
蝨shīlouse; bed bug
蝩chóng
蝪tāng
蝫zhū
蝬zōng
蝭tí
蝯yuán
蝱méng
蝵qiū
蝷lì
蝸wōsnail; Eulota callizoma
蝹yūn
蝺qǔ
蝿yíng
螁ban
螄sīa snail with a spiral shell
螆cì
螇xī
螊lián
螌bān
螎róng
螏jí
螐wū
螑xiù
螔yí
螕bī
螖huá
螛hé
螜hú
螝guī
螞mǎant; leech
螠yì
螡wén
螢yíngfirefly, glow-worm
螤zhōng
螦sāo
螧qí
螩tiao
螪shāng
螮dìrainbow
螰lù
螱wèi
螲zhì
螴chén
螶qú
螷pí
螸yú
螹jiàn
螻lóumole cricket; Gryllotalpa africana
螼qǐn
螿jiāng
蟁wén
蟂xiāo
蟇má
蟈guōcicada, grasshopper; small green frog
蟉liú
蟍lí
蟎mǎnmite, insect
蟐chang
蟔mò
蟕zuī
蟖sī
蟗qiū
蟘tè
蟙zhí
蟚péng
蟝qú
蟞biē
蟡guǐ
蟣jǐnits, lice
蟤zhuān
蟦féi
蟧láo
蟩jué
蟫yín
蟬cháncicada; continuous
蟯náoparasitic worm; human pinworm
蟰xiāo
蟱wú
蟲chónginsect, worm; mollusk
蟴sī
蟵chú
蟶chēng
蟸lǐ
蟻yǐant
蟼jǐng
蟽dá
蠀cī
蠄qín
蠅yíngfly, musca
蠆chài
蠇lì
蠈zéi
蠉xuān
蠌zé
蠍xiēscorpion
蠎mǎng
蠏xiè
蠐qí
蠑rónglizard
蠒jiǎn
蠘jié
蠝lěi
蠞jié
蠠mǐn
蠣lìoyster
蠤qiū
蠥niè
蠦lú
蠨xiāoa long-legged spider
蠪lóng
蠫lí
蠬lóng
蠭fēng
蠯pí
蠳yīng
蠴shǔ
蠶cánsilkworm
蠷qú
蠺cán
蠻mánbarbarians; barbarous, rude, savage
蠾zhú
蠿zhuō
赨tóng
郒láng
鉵tóng
閩mǐnFujian province; a river; a tribe
Words containing this character20
虫chóngCL:條|条[tiáo],隻|只[zhī]蟲
虫子chóngziinsect蟲子
昆虫kūnchónginsect昆蟲
寄生虫jìshēngchóngparasite (biology)寄生蟲
害虫hàichóngpest害蟲
可怜虫kěliánchóngwretch可憐蟲
幼虫yòuchónglarva幼蟲
杀虫剂shāchóngjìinsecticide殺蟲劑
血吸虫xuèxīchóngschistosoma血吸蟲
病虫害bìngchónghàiplant diseases and insect pests病蟲害
萤火虫yínghuǒchóngfirefly螢火蟲
臭虫chòuchóngtick臭蟲
甲虫jiǎchóngbeetle甲蟲
毛毛虫máomaochóngcaterpillar毛毛蟲
懒虫lǎnchóngidle slob懶蟲
虫害chónghàiinsect pest蟲害
蚊虫wénchóngmosquito蚊蟲
蝗虫huángchónglocust蝗蟲
线虫xiànchóngnematode線蟲
蛔虫huíchóngroundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), a human parasite蛔蟲
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 虫

What does 蛋 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 虫

Common phrases that include 虫 (chóng) are '虫子' (chóngzi), which means 'bug' or 'insect', and '虫害' (chónghài), meaning 'pest damage'. These phrases are frequently used in discussions about gardening, pest control, and biology.

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