Meanings of 蚁
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About 蚁
Podcast: 蚁
Podcast: 蚁
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AI Study Notes for 蚁
蚂蚁 (mǎyǐ) vs 蟻 (yǐ) — use 蚂蚁 for the common term 'ant' in everyday contexts, while 蟻 is a more literary or scientific term.
蚁 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 义 (yì), which means 'righteousness'. Common collocations include 蚂蚁 (mǎyǐ), which means 'ant' and is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Although 蚁 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to other words at the same level that use the insect radical (虫). Focus on recognizing the radical and practicing writing it to reinforce your understanding.
Learners often mistakenly write 蚁 without the insect radical, confusing it with other characters. Always include the虫 radical to convey the correct meaning.
Pronunciation of 蚁
Drill the tone of 蚁 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 蚁
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 义 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蟻.
insect
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 蚁
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 义 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蟻.
- 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half义 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayinsect
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 蚁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 蚁?
Decomposition of 蚁
Identify the Components
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How to say ant in Chinese
“ant” in Chinese is蚁
The character 蚁 (yǐ) means 'ant' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in contexts relating to biology, nature, or as a metaphor for smallness or industriousness, reflecting how ants are often seen as hard-working creatures.
When to use 蚁
蚁 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words like 义 (yì), which means 'righteousness'. Common collocations include 蚂蚁 (mǎyǐ), which means 'ant' and is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
蚁 or something close to it
蚂蚁 (mǎyǐ) vs 蟻 (yǐ) — use 蚂蚁 for the common term 'ant' in everyday contexts, while 蟻 is a more literary or scientific term.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 蚁 without the insect radical, confusing it with other characters. Always include the虫 radical to convey the correct meaning.
Write 蚁
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Practice writing 蚁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 蚁
蚁 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
遇有危险，食____兽会迅速用尾巴卷住树枝。
When in danger, the anteater lashes its tail round a branch.
Example Sentences for 蚁 (3)
Word Family of 蚁
Compound Meaning
What does 蚂蚁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蚁
蚁 is pronounced as 'yǐ' with a third tone.
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