Meanings of 蜥
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蜥
Podcast: 蜥
Podcast: 蜥
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 蜥
蜥 (lizard) vs 蛇 (shé, snake) — choose 蜥 when referring specifically to lizards, not snakes.
Imagine a lizard 'sneaking' through the grass, its scales shimmering in the sunlight. The character 蜥 resembles a lizard's scaly skin with the '虫' (insect) radical, hinting at its reptilian nature, while the pronunciation 'xī' can be thought of as the sound of a lizard slipping away quietly.
Learners often confuse 蜥 with similar characters like 蛇 (shé, snake) due to their shared association with reptiles. This character is generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts without issue. Be mindful of its tone: 'xī' is pronounced with a high level tone, which is crucial for clear communication.
Although 蜥 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your grasp of animal names in Chinese, a common topic in beginner levels. Focus on related vocabulary like 蜥蜴 (xīyì, lizard) to strengthen your animal lexicon.
In traditional Chinese culture, certain lizards are seen as symbols of adaptability and survival, often appearing in folklore and art. They are also sometimes used in traditional medicine, reflecting a connection to nature.
Learners sometimes mistakenly write 蜥 with the wrong tone, pronouncing it as 'xi' instead of 'xī'. Always remember to use the correct high-level tone to convey the correct meaning.
Pronunciation of 蜥
Drill the tone of 蜥 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 蜥
worm
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 蜥?
Decomposition of 蜥
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 蜥?
Write 蜥
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 蜥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 蜥
蜥 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
蛇____其实不是蛇，而是无脚的蜥蜴。
The slow-worm is in fact not a snake but a legless lizard.
Example Sentences for 蜥 (3)
Cultural Notes for 蜥
In traditional Chinese culture, certain lizards are seen as symbols of adaptability and survival, often appearing in folklore and art. They are also sometimes used in traditional medicine, reflecting a connection to nature.
Word Family of 蜥
Compound Meaning
What does 蜥蜴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蜥
蜥 refers to lizards in general, while 蜥蜴 specifically denotes a type of lizard, often used in more formal contexts.