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March 24, 2026
螳táng(tang2)
The character 螳 (táng) refers to a praying mantis, an insect known for its unique posture and predatory skills. In Chinese culture, the praying mantis symbolizes patience and strategic attack, often referenced in literature and idiomatic expressions.
Strokes17Radical虫Frequency#64896DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the praying mantis is often viewed as a symbol of wisdom due to its hunting skills and patience. It is featured in various idioms that emphasize strategic thinking.
Memory Tip
Imagine a praying mantis standing with its front legs raised in prayer. The character 螳 looks like a 'mantis' caught in a prayer pose; the '螳' has a 't' sound like 'tang' which can remind you of 'tangling' prey with its forelegs.
Meanings of 螳
táng(tang2)
1praying mantis
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 螳
螳Simplified
17Strokes
虫Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 螳
Podcast: 螳
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AI Study Notes for 螳
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a praying mantis standing with its front legs raised in prayer. The character 螳 looks like a 'mantis' caught in a prayer pose; the '螳' has a 't' sound like 'tang' which can remind you of 'tangling' prey with its forelegs.
Usage Notes
This character is primarily used in biological or ecological contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with other insect characters. The term is more formal and may not appear frequently in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 螳 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other nature-related terms at higher levels. Focus on the radicals: 虫 (insect) to help remember its meaning and usage in nature discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the praying mantis is often viewed as a symbol of wisdom due to its hunting skills and patience. It is featured in various idioms that emphasize strategic thinking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 螳 with incorrect radicals, such as confusing it with characters for other insects. Remember, it includes the 虫 radical, indicating its insect nature.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 螳
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Grammar Patterns of 螳
螳 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 2
Complete the Sentence
____臂岂能挡车.
A mantis cannot stop the wheel of a cart.
Example Sentences for 螳 (1)
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1
螳臂岂能挡车.
táng bì qǐ néng dǎng chē.
A mantis cannot stop the wheel of a cart.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
A mantis cannot stop the wheel of a cart.
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Cultural Notes for 螳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the praying mantis is often viewed as a symbol of wisdom due to its hunting skills and patience. It is featured in various idioms that emphasize strategic thinking.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the praying mantis is often seen merely as an insect, while in China, it carries deeper symbolic meanings related to strategy and patience.
Word Family of 螳
Words Containing This Character4
螳螂mantis
螳tángpraying mantis
螳螂捕蝉the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger螳螂捕蟬
螳臂当车a mantis trying to stop a chariot (idiom)螳臂當車
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 螳螂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 螳
It is pronounced as 'táng' with a rising tone.
No, 螳 is mainly used in specific contexts related to biology and nature.
Yes, the phrase '螳螂捕蝉' (tángláng bǔ chán) means 'the mantis stalks the cicada', referring to being unaware of a lurking danger.
