unknown, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #35626, Very Hard
蛭
zhì
hirudinea
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #35626, Very Hard
zhì(zhi4) T4
1leech
2fluke
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March 24, 2026
蛭zhì(zhi4)
The character 蛭 (zhì) refers to a leech, a type of blood-sucking worm commonly found in freshwater environments. It is used both in scientific contexts to describe the creature and colloquially to indicate something that drains resources or takes advantage of others. This word is relatively specialized and may not be widely used in everyday conversation.
Strokes12Radical虫Frequency#35626DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, leeches have been used for their medicinal properties, particularly in bloodletting practices. This character reflects the historical significance of leeches in medical treatments and the beliefs surrounding them.
Memory Tip
Imagine a leech (蛭) clinging to the skin, its body resembling the character's shape. The left side (虫) represents 'insect' or 'worm,' while the right side (知) can be remembered as 'to know'—the leech knows how to latch on for survival. Visualize a leech sucking the life force out of a person to reinforce the idea.
Meanings of 蛭
zhì(zhi4)
1leech
2fluke
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 蛭
蛭Simplified
12Strokes
虫Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蛭
Podcast: 蛭
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AI Study Notes for 蛭
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a leech (蛭) clinging to the skin, its body resembling the character's shape. The left side (虫) represents 'insect' or 'worm,' while the right side (知) can be remembered as 'to know'—the leech knows how to latch on for survival. Visualize a leech sucking the life force out of a person to reinforce the idea.
Usage Notes
When using 蛭, it's important to be aware of the context, as it has a negative connotation when used metaphorically. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 只 (zhǐ), which means 'only.' It's generally used in a more formal or scientific context rather than casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 蛭 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to biological terms that may appear in advanced levels. Students should focus on understanding its usage in scientific texts and its metaphorical implications in language.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, leeches have been used for their medicinal properties, particularly in bloodletting practices. This character reflects the historical significance of leeches in medical treatments and the beliefs surrounding them.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蛭 with other insect-related terms like 虫 (insect) or 蚂 (ant). For example, saying '我看到一只虫' (I saw an insect) instead of using 蛭 when specifically referring to a leech is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蛭
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Cultural Notes for 蛭
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, leeches have been used for their medicinal properties, particularly in bloodletting practices. This character reflects the historical significance of leeches in medical treatments and the beliefs surrounding them.
Word Family of 蛭
Words Containing This Character3
水蛭leech
蛭zhìfluke
蛭石vermiculite
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 水蛭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蛭
No, 蛭 is more likely to be found in scientific or medical contexts rather than everyday speech.
蛭 specifically refers to leeches, while words like 虫 (insect) are more general.
Yes, it can refer to someone who exploits others, but be cautious of the context.
