Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
虰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
dīngdragonflyx, 8 strokes, radical 虫, Very Hard
dīng(ding1) T1
  1. 1dragonfly
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
dīng(ding1)

The character 虰 (dīng) refers to a dragonfly, a common insect known for its distinctive appearance and agile flight. In Chinese, it is often associated with natural settings and can be used in poetic contexts to evoke imagery of summer and water. The character is less commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literature or specific ecological discussions.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Dragonflies are often seen as symbols of change and transformation in Chinese culture, reflecting the idea of personal growth and adaptability. They are also connected to folklore and are sometimes depicted in traditional art.

Memory Tip

Imagine a dragonfly hovering over a pond. The character 虰 has a '虫' (insect) radical which reminds you that it is an insect, while the '丁' part can be visualized as the dragonfly's head, giving it a sharp, pointed look. Think of the sound 'dīng' as a dragonfly's wings buzzing.

Meanings of 虰

dīng(ding1)
1dragonfly
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 虰

Simplified
8Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 虰

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 虰

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a dragonfly hovering over a pond. The character 虰 has a '虫' (insect) radical which reminds you that it is an insect, while the '丁' part can be visualized as the dragonfly's head, giving it a sharp, pointed look. Think of the sound 'dīng' as a dragonfly's wings buzzing.

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious not to confuse 虰 with similar-looking characters, as this can lead to misunderstandings. It is more informal and specialized, so it’s less likely to be used in formal contexts. Common collocations include 虰蛵 (dīng xíng) referring to the dragonfly species, which should be remembered.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, making it less common for learners at beginner levels. Students should focus on recognizing its components and understanding its usage in biological or literary contexts, as it won't frequently appear in daily language.

Cultural Note

Dragonflies are often seen as symbols of change and transformation in Chinese culture, reflecting the idea of personal growth and adaptability. They are also connected to folklore and are sometimes depicted in traditional art.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 虰 with similar characters like 蜻 (qīng) which also refers to insects, specifically dragonflies. Ensure you remember that 虰 is pronounced 'dīng' and relates specifically to dragonflies.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 虰

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 虰

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

An adult male 丁 insect 虫; 丁 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 虰?

Decomposition of 虰

IDS Structure⿰虫丁
Full Character
=
chong2
left
Ding1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 虰?

Write 虰

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 虰

🏮Cultural insight

Dragonflies are often seen as symbols of change and transformation in Chinese culture, reflecting the idea of personal growth and adaptability. They are also connected to folklore and are sometimes depicted in traditional art.

Word Family of 虰

Words Containing This Character1
dīngless common word for dragonfly 蜻蜓
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 虰 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 虰

It is pronounced as 'dīng'.