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March 24, 2026
虿(蠆)chài(chai4)
The character 虿 (chài) refers to a scorpion, a type of arachnid known for its venomous sting. It is often used in discussions about insects or creatures that evoke fear or caution. This term is less commonly used in daily conversation, generally appearing in specific contexts like biology or folklore.
Strokes9Radical虫Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, scorpions are sometimes used in traditional medicine and regional cuisine, especially in certain areas of southern China where they are considered a delicacy when prepared as food.
Memory Tip
Imagine a scorpion with its curved tail raised. The character 虿 resembles a scorpion with its pincers and tail, and the 'ch' sound in chài can remind you of a creature that 'chases' or 'catches' its prey.
Meanings of 虿
chài(chai4)
1scorpion
2(scorpion)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 虿
虿Simplified
蠆Traditional
9Strokes
虫Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 虿
Podcast: 虿
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AI Study Notes for 虿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a scorpion with its curved tail raised. The character 虿 resembles a scorpion with its pincers and tail, and the 'ch' sound in chài can remind you of a creature that 'chases' or 'catches' its prey.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 虿 is not frequently used in everyday conversation; it's more common in technical or literary contexts. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters, so pay attention to the context to avoid misinterpretation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 虿 is not included in the official HSK levels, learning related terms like 昆虫 (kūnchóng, insect) and 甲虫 (jiǎchóng, beetle) can enrich vocabulary on the topic of insects. Focus on pronunciation and recognizing it in compound words or phrases.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, scorpions are sometimes used in traditional medicine and regional cuisine, especially in certain areas of southern China where they are considered a delicacy when prepared as food.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 虿 with similar characters like 螳 (táng, mantis) due to the visual similarity. To correct this, focus on the unique features of the character and its specific meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虿
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Cultural Notes for 虿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, scorpions are sometimes used in traditional medicine and regional cuisine, especially in certain areas of southern China where they are considered a delicacy when prepared as food.
Word Family of 虿
Words Containing This Character1
虿chài(scorpion)蠆
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 虿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 虿
It is pronounced as 'chài'.
No, 虿 is primarily used in specific contexts like biology or folklore.
虿 specifically refers to scorpions, while other characters like 昆虫 refer to insects in general.
