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蛙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
frogng, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #15585, Hard
(wa1) T1
  1. 1frog
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(wa1)

The character 蛙 (wā) refers to a frog, a common amphibian found in various environments. It is often associated with wet habitats, such as ponds and marshes, and is known for its distinctive croaking sounds. In Chinese culture, frogs may symbolize fertility and prosperity.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#15585DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, frogs are sometimes associated with good luck and are featured in folklore, particularly in stories about harvests and rain. The famous idiom '青蛙跳水' (the frog jumps into water) reflects adaptability and resourcefulness.

Memory Tip

Imagine a frog (蛙) sitting on a lily pad, croaking 'Wā!' as it looks for a mate. The character itself features the radical 虫 (insect) combined with the phonetic component 𠂇, hinting at the creature's nature as a hopping insect-like amphibian.

Meanings of 蛙

(wa1)
1frog
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蛙

Simplified
12Strokes
Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Measure Word

Podcast: 蛙

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AI Study Notes for 蛙

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a frog (蛙) sitting on a lily pad, croaking 'Wā!' as it looks for a mate. The character itself features the radical 虫 (insect) combined with the phonetic component 𠂇, hinting at the creature's nature as a hopping insect-like amphibian.

Usage Notes

Frog is used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about nature or in idiomatic expressions. Be cautious with the pronunciation; the first tone (wā) is essential to avoid confusion with other words. Common collocations include 蛙声 (frog's croak) and 青蛙 (green frog).

HSK Study Tips

While 蛙 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 1 and 2 words related to animals and nature. Students should focus on the pronunciation and the context in which animal names are used in sentences.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, frogs are sometimes associated with good luck and are featured in folklore, particularly in stories about harvests and rain. The famous idiom '青蛙跳水' (the frog jumps into water) reflects adaptability and resourcefulness.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蛙 (wā) with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying 'wá' (2nd tone) instead of 'wā' (1st tone) alters the meaning. Additionally, using 蛙 incorrectly in formal contexts can sound out of place; ensure you understand the context before using it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蛙

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Etymology of 蛙

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

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鼃.

Memory Hint

insect

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 蛙?

Decomposition of 蛙

IDS Structure⿰虫圭
Full Character
=
chong2
left
gui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蛙?

Write 蛙

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

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Grammar Patterns of 蛙

蛙 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这片潮湿地区也吸引了青____、蟾蜍和蝾螈一类的生物。

This wet area also attracts frogs, toads and newts.

Example Sentences for 蛙 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这片潮湿地区也吸引了青蛙、蟾蜍和蝾螈一类的生物。

zhè piàn cháo shī dì qū yě xī yǐn le qīng wā、 、 chán chú hé róng yuán yī lèi de shēng。

This wet area also attracts frogs, toads and newts.
2
青蛙扑通一声跳回水中。

qīng wā pū tōng yī shēng tiào huí shuǐ zhōng。

The frog plopped back into the water.
3
就是一种褐色的陶土杯,杯底内画有一只绿色的小青蛙.

jiù shì yī zhǒng hè sè de táo tǔ bēi, , bēi dǐ nèi huà yǒu yī zhī lǜ sè de xiǎo qīng.

A brown earthenware mug with a little green frog at the bottom.

Cultural Notes for 蛙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, frogs are sometimes associated with good luck and are featured in folklore, particularly in stories about harvests and rain. The famous idiom '青蛙跳水' (the frog jumps into water) reflects adaptability and resourcefulness.

Word Family of 蛙

Words Containing This Character10
青蛙qīngwāfrog
frog
蛙泳breaststroke (swimming)
牛蛙bullfrog
井底之蛙the frog at the bottom of the well (idiom)
蛙人frogman
树蛙tree frog樹蛙
雨蛙rain frog
蛙式breaststroke (swimming)
井蛙之见the view of a frog in a well (idiom); fig. a narrow view井蛙之見
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 青蛙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蛙

It is pronounced as wā, with a high and level tone.