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March 24, 2026
蚓yǐn(yin3)
The character 蚓 (yǐn) refers specifically to an earthworm, a creature commonly found in soil. It plays a vital role in agriculture by aerating the soil and decomposing organic matter. This term is primarily used in biological or ecological contexts.
Strokes10Radical虫Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, earthworms are often associated with agriculture and the natural environment, reflecting the importance of soil health in farming practices. They are also sometimes featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed health benefits.
Memory Tip
Imagine an earthworm wriggling through the soil, its body resembling the character 蚓. The two horizontal strokes can be seen as the earthworm's segments, while the radical 虫 (insect) reminds you that it is a creature of the earth.
Meanings of 蚓
yǐn(yin3)
1earthworm (2)
2earthworm
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蚓
蚓Simplified
10Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蚓
Podcast: 蚓
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AI Study Notes for 蚓
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an earthworm wriggling through the soil, its body resembling the character 蚓. The two horizontal strokes can be seen as the earthworm's segments, while the radical 虫 (insect) reminds you that it is a creature of the earth.
Usage Notes
When using 蚓 in conversation, it is usually in more technical or educational contexts. Be cautious with the tone; it’s pronounced with a third tone (yǐn), which can be confused with other similar-sounding characters. You might encounter it along with words like 土壤 (tǔrǎng, soil) or 生物 (shēngwù, living organism).
HSK Study Tips
Although 蚓 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, understanding its components can help with other characters involving insects or small creatures. Students should focus on recognizing the 虫 radical which appears in many other related words.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, earthworms are often associated with agriculture and the natural environment, reflecting the importance of soil health in farming practices. They are also sometimes featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed health benefits.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 蚓 (earthworm) with other similar insect-related characters, such as 蚊 (wén, mosquito). Ensure you remember the correct pronunciation and meaning by associating 蚓 specifically with soil and gardening contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蚓
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Grammar Patterns of 蚓
蚓 carries 2 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 5
Complete the Sentence
蚯____钻土很深。
Earthworms burrow deep into the soil.
Example Sentences for 蚓 (3)
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1
蚯蚓钻土很深。
qiū yǐn zuān tǔ hěn shēn。
Earthworms burrow deep into the soil.
2
它较巨蠕蚓类中环毛蚓属的分布区域大.
tā jiào jù rú yǐn lèi zhōng huán máo yǐn shǔ de fēn bù qū yù dà.
It inhabits a larger area than the megascolecid genus Pheretinca.
3
母鸡扒出了一条蚯蚓.
mǔ jī bā chū le yī tiáo qiū yǐn.
The hen raked up an earthworm.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
Earthworms burrow deep into the soil.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 蚓
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, earthworms are often associated with agriculture and the natural environment, reflecting the importance of soil health in farming practices. They are also sometimes featured in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed health benefits.
Word Family of 蚓
Words Containing This Character2
蚯蚓earthworm
蚓yǐnearthworm
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 蚯蚓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蚓
It is pronounced as 'yǐn' with a falling tone, like the sound of a worm squirming.
While 蚓 is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions, it can appear in discussions about soil and ecology.
Earthworms are crucial for improving soil structure, fertility, and aeration, hence their mention in agricultural contexts.
