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螈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
螈yuánsilkwormx, 16 strokes, radical 虫
螈yuánsalamanderunknown, 16 strokes, radical 虫
螈yuánnewtunknown, 16 strokes, radical 虫
yuán(yuan2) T2
  1. 1silkworm
  2. 2salamander
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

螈yuán(yuan2)

The character 螈 (yuán) refers to a type of amphibian, specifically a salamander or newt, which is known for its smooth skin and ability to live both in water and on land. In certain contexts, it may also refer to the silkworm, a key element in silk production in China. This character is less commonly used in daily conversation and may appear more in scientific or specialized discussions.

Strokes16Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, silkworms are historically significant due to their role in silk production, which has been a vital part of Chinese heritage and economy for thousands of years. Salamanders and newts, while less culturally prominent, are part of China's rich biodiversity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a newt (salamander) swimming in a pond while a silkworm crawls on a silk thread nearby. The shape of 螈 can be visualized as a newt's elongated body with its smooth, flowing skin, and the 'y' sound in 'yuán' can remind you of 'young', as in young amphibians.

Meanings of 螈

yuán(yuan2)
1silkworm
2salamander
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 螈

螈Simplified
16Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 螈

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Podcast: 螈

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AI Study Notes for 螈

Usage Notes

This character is more formal and likely to be encountered in biological texts or discussions about nature. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters like 蛙 (wā) for frog. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 螈 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to animals and nature. Students should focus on pronunciation and understanding the context in which this character is used, particularly in scientific discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 螈 with similar amphibian characters. For example, mistakenly using 螈 when they mean frog (蛙). Make sure to differentiate between the characters based on their specific meanings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 螈

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Etymology of 螈

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

insect

Semantic (meaning)虫
+
Phonetic (sound)原
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 螈

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half原 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayinsect
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 螈? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 螈?

Decomposition of 螈

IDS Structure⿰虫原
螈Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
原Yuan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 螈?

How to say silkworm in Chinese

“silkworm” in Chinese is螈yuán

The character 螈 (yuán) refers to a type of amphibian, specifically a salamander or newt, which is known for its smooth skin and ability to live both in water and on land. In certain contexts, it may also refer to the silkworm, a key element in silk production in China. This character is less commonly used in daily conversation and may appear more in scientific or specialized discussions.

When to use 螈

This character is more formal and likely to be encountered in biological texts or discussions about nature. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar characters like 蛙 (wā) for frog. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 螈 with similar amphibian characters. For example, mistakenly using 螈 when they mean frog (蛙). Make sure to differentiate between the characters based on their specific meanings.

Write 螈

螈

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 螈

螈 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

这片潮湿地区也吸引了青蛙、蟾蜍和蝾____一类的生物。

This wet area also attracts frogs, toads and newts.

Example Sentences for 螈 (1)

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.

Word Family of 螈

Words Containing This Character2
蝾螈fire-bellied salamander (Cynops orientalis David)蠑螈
螈yuánnewt
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 蝾螈 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 螈

It means salamander or newt, and can also refer to silkworm.

Jason Recommends

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