Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
蠮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蠮yēbeex, 23 strokes, radical 虫
蠮yēwasp of the family Sphecidaeunknown, 23 strokes, radical 虫
yē(ye1) T1
  1. 1bee
  2. 2wasp of the family Sphecidae
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蠮yē(ye1)

The character 蠮 (yē) refers specifically to a type of insect, particularly a bee or wasp belonging to the family Sphecidae. This term is less commonly used in everyday conversation and is more likely to appear in entomological contexts or specialized discussions about insects.

Strokes23Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bees and wasps play an essential role in agriculture and the ecosystem, symbolizing hard work and community. Knowledge of such terms can be particularly relevant in discussions about environmental conservation in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a buzzing bee (represented by the character's shape, which resembles a flying creature) that is yellow and black, like a typical wasp. The sound 'yē' can remind you of the word 'yeast,' which is also small and can be associated with making things grow, just as bees pollinate flowers.

Meanings of 蠮

yē(ye1)
1bee
2wasp of the family Sphecidae
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蠮

蠮Simplified
23Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蠮

JasonAmy

Podcast: 蠮

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蠮

Usage Notes

This term is quite specialized, so it is often used in scientific or academic discussions rather than casual conversation. Be cautious of the tone; the pronunciation 'yē' should be clear and not confused with similar-sounding words like 'yè' (夜, night).

HSK Study Tips

As this character is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it may not be directly relevant for HSK learners. However, those studying advanced Chinese or entomology may find it useful to connect it with other animal-related terms in their studies.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蠮 with 蜜蜂 (mìfēng), which means 'honey bee.' For example, saying 蠮 when you mean 蜜蜂 is incorrect. Use 蠮 specifically for wasps and similar insects.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蠮

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 蠮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 蠮

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

insect

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蠮

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half翳 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 蠮? 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 蠮?

Decomposition of 蠮

IDS Structure⿰虫翳
蠮Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
翳yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蠮?

How to say bee in Chinese

“bee” in Chinese is蠮yē

The character 蠮 (yē) refers specifically to a type of insect, particularly a bee or wasp belonging to the family Sphecidae. This term is less commonly used in everyday conversation and is more likely to appear in entomological contexts or specialized discussions about insects.

When to use 蠮

This term is quite specialized, so it is often used in scientific or academic discussions rather than casual conversation. Be cautious of the tone; the pronunciation 'yē' should be clear and not confused with similar-sounding words like 'yè' (夜, night).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蠮 with 蜜蜂 (mìfēng), which means 'honey bee.' For example, saying 蠮 when you mean 蜜蜂 is incorrect. Use 蠮 specifically for wasps and similar insects.

Write 蠮

蠮

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 蠮

Words Containing This Character1
蠮yēwasp of the family Sphecidae
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 蠮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蠮

No, 蠮 is a specialized term mostly used in scientific contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蠮?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.