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蚍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
mussels, shellfishi, 10 strokes, radical 虫, Very Hard
(pi2) T2
  1. 1mussels, shellfish
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(pi2)

The character 蚍 (pí) refers to a type of shellfish, specifically mussels, and is often associated with other seafood. It is not commonly used on its own but appears in compound words, such as 蚍蜉 (pí fú), which refers to a specific kind of small creature. This character is more frequently encountered in literary contexts or specialized discussions about marine life.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, shellfish like mussels are valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits, often featured in coastal regions' dishes. The character 蚍 reflects the appreciation for diverse marine life in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small shellfish, like a mussel, hiding under a rock. The character 蚍 resembles a shell with legs, indicating its shellfish nature. The pronunciation 'pí' can be remembered by picturing a 'pea' (as in a small round object) that hides just like the shellfish do.

Meanings of 蚍

(pi2)
1mussels, shellfish
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蚍

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蚍

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 蚍

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a small shellfish, like a mussel, hiding under a rock. The character 蚍 resembles a shell with legs, indicating its shellfish nature. The pronunciation 'pí' can be remembered by picturing a 'pea' (as in a small round object) that hides just like the shellfish do.

Usage Notes

蚍 is rarely used in conversation and is more prevalent in written texts related to marine biology or literature. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include terms related to seafood or specific species when discussing marine life.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蚍 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of specialized terminology. Students should focus on the context in which this character appears, particularly in literature or biology, to grasp its full meaning.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, shellfish like mussels are valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits, often featured in coastal regions' dishes. The character 蚍 reflects the appreciation for diverse marine life in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 蚍 with other similar-looking characters, such as 蚊 (wēn, meaning mosquito). For example, saying 蚍 instead of 蚊 when talking about insects would be incorrect. Always double-check the context to ensure proper usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蚍

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Etymology of 蚍

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

mollusk

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蚍?

Decomposition of 蚍

IDS Structure⿰虫比
Full Character
=
chong2
left
Bi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蚍?

Write 蚍

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 蚍

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, shellfish like mussels are valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits, often featured in coastal regions' dishes. The character 蚍 reflects the appreciation for diverse marine life in Chinese culture.

Word Family of 蚍

Words Containing This Character4
a type of large ant
蚍蜉撼树lit. an ant trying to shake a tree蚍蜉撼樹
蚍蜉撼大树fig. to overrate one's own strength蚍蜉撼大樹
蚍蜉a type of large ant
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 蚍 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蚍

No, 蚍 is more often found in written texts and specialized discussions rather than in everyday speech.