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March 24, 2026
蚕(蠶)cán(can2)
The character 蚕 (cán) refers to a silkworm, an important insect in the production of silk. Silkworms are primarily associated with the cultivation of silk in China, where they have been raised for thousands of years. In addition to their agricultural significance, they symbolize prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture.
Strokes10Radical虫Frequency#29547DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, silkworms are integral to silk production, which has been a cornerstone of the economy and artistry in China for millennia. The process of sericulture, or raising silkworms, is celebrated and has historical significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'cane' (sounds like cán) made of silk, where silkworms are happily munching on mulberry leaves. The radical 虫 (insect) reminds you that this character is all about bugs, specifically the silkworm that produces silk.
Meanings of 蚕
cán(can2)
1silkworm
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蚕
蚕Simplified
蠶Traditional
10Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蚕
Podcast: 蚕
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AI Study Notes for 蚕
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'cane' (sounds like cán) made of silk, where silkworms are happily munching on mulberry leaves. The radical 虫 (insect) reminds you that this character is all about bugs, specifically the silkworm that produces silk.
Usage Notes
When using 蚕, be mindful that it is more commonly used in agricultural or economic contexts. A common mistake is using it in casual conversation when referring to worms in general; 蚕 specifically means silkworm. Avoid confusing it with similar characters that refer to other insects.
HSK Study Tips
While 蚕 is not found in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 养 (yǎng, to raise) and 茶 (chá, tea), as silkworms are raised for silk production, which is often associated with tea culture in China. Focus on the connection between agriculture and cultural heritage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, silkworms are integral to silk production, which has been a cornerstone of the economy and artistry in China for millennia. The process of sericulture, or raising silkworms, is celebrated and has historical significance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蚕 (cán) with other insect-related characters, mistakenly using it to refer to all worms or insects. For instance, saying '蚕是虫' (cán shì huǐ, the silkworm is a bug) is incorrect; it should be '蚕是蚕' (cán shì cán, the silkworm is a silkworm).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蚕
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Grammar Patterns of 蚕
蚕 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 4
Complete the Sentence
几家制造商也在____食福特公司的传统客户群。
Several manufacturers are also nibbling away at Ford's traditional customer base.
Example Sentences for 蚕 (5)
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1
几家制造商也在蚕食福特公司的传统客户群。
jī jiā zhì zào shāng yě zài cán shí fú tè gōng sī de chuán tǒng kè hù qún。
Several manufacturers are also nibbling away at Ford's traditional customer base.
2
老通宝却不耐烦了,怒声喝道: “ 说什么梦话! 刚吃了两天老蚕 呢.
lǎo tōng bǎo què bù nài fán le, , nù shēng hē:“ dào : “ shuō shí mó! mèng huà ! gāng chī le liǎng tiān.
" One more day? You're dreaming!'snapped the old man impatiently.
3
老通宝家的蚕非常好!
lǎo tōng bǎo jiā de cán fēi cháng hǎo!
The silkworms of Old Tong Bao's family grew and thrived!
4
全家都是惴惴不安地又很兴奋地等候“收蚕”.
quán jiā dū shì zhuì zhuì bù ān dì yòu hěn xīng fèn dì děng hòu“ “ shōu”.
Uneasy but eager, the whole family waited for the eggs to hatch.
5
他们摘了一些蚕豆充饥.
tā mén zhāi le yī xiē cán dòu chōng jī.
They picked some favas to stay their hunger.
Cultural Notes for 蚕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, silkworms are integral to silk production, which has been a cornerstone of the economy and artistry in China for millennia. The process of sericulture, or raising silkworms, is celebrated and has historical significance.
Word Family of 蚕
Words Containing This Character20
蚕cánsilkworm蠶
蚕食fig. to embezzle progressively蠶食
蚕丝natural silk (secreted by silkworm)蠶絲
蚕豆fava bean蠶豆
养蚕to raise silkworms養蠶
蚕茧silkworm cocoon蠶繭
蚕蛹pupa蠶蛹
春蚕Silkworms in Spring (1933), Chinese silent movie in socialist realist style, based on novel by Mao Dun 茅盾[MáoDùn]春蠶
桑蚕silkworm桑蠶
蚕种silkworm eggs蠶種
蚕农sericulturist蠶農
家蚕the common silkworm (Bombyx mori)家蠶
蚕宝宝silkworm蠶寶寶
蚕蛾Chinese silkworm moth (Bombyx mori)蠶蛾
蚕沙silkworm guano (excrement)蠶沙
白僵蚕the larva of silkworm with batrytis白殭蠶
养蚕业silk industry養蠶業
蚕子silkworm eggs蠶子
蚕纸paper on which silkworm lays its eggs蠶紙
蚕眠a silkworm's period of inactivity prior to molting蠶眠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蚕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蚕
Silkworms have been crucial to China's silk industry for over 5,000 years, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Yes, the phrase '蚕食鲸吞' (cán shí jīng tūn) metaphorically means to eat away at something large, drawing a parallel to how silkworms consume leaves.
