Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
螵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
螵piāochrysalisx, 17 strokes, radical 虫
螵piāonest of eggs of mantisunknown, 17 strokes, radical 虫
piāo(piao1)piao T1
  1. 1chrysalis
  2. 2nest of eggs of mantis
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

螵piāo(piao1)

The character 螵 (piāo) refers to a chrysalis, which is the pupal stage of insects like butterflies and moths, as well as a nest of eggs laid by mantises. This term is often used in entomology and can be encountered in discussions about insect life cycles and habitats.

Strokes17Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding the life cycle of insects, particularly beneficial ones like mantises, is important in agriculture and gardening. The chrysalis stage is often seen as a metaphor for transformation and growth.

Memory Tip

Think of a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, like a butterfly 'popping' out of its 'pillow' (piāo), where 'pillow' represents the soft, protective casing. The character 螵 includes the radical for insect (虫), emphasizing its connection to the insect world.

Meanings of 螵

piāo(piao1)
1chrysalis
2nest of eggs of mantis
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 螵 means.

About 螵

螵Simplified
17Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 螵

JasonAmy

Podcast: 螵

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 螵

Usage Notes

While 螵 is a specific term, it may not be widely used in everyday conversation and is more common in scientific contexts. Learners should be careful with pronunciation, ensuring they use the correct tone (first tone) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 螵 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other HSK level words related to nature and animals. Students at this level should focus on the radicals and components of characters to deepen their understanding of related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 螵 with other insect-related terms like 蝴 (hú) for butterfly. A common mistake is mispronouncing it as 'piǎo' (third tone), which changes its meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 螵

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 螵 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

Jason Explains 螵 to You

Let me explain 螵 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 螵 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 螵?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 螵 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 螵

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

insect

Semantic (meaning)虫
+
Phonetic (sound)票
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

螵 = 虫 + 票. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 螵

IDS Structure⿰虫票
螵Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
票piao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 螵?

How to say chrysalis in Chinese

“chrysalis” in Chinese is螵piāo

The character 螵 (piāo) refers to a chrysalis, which is the pupal stage of insects like butterflies and moths, as well as a nest of eggs laid by mantises. This term is often used in entomology and can be encountered in discussions about insect life cycles and habitats.

When to use 螵

While 螵 is a specific term, it may not be widely used in everyday conversation and is more common in scientific contexts. Learners should be careful with pronunciation, ensuring they use the correct tone (first tone) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 螵 with other insect-related terms like 蝴 (hú) for butterfly. A common mistake is mispronouncing it as 'piǎo' (third tone), which changes its meaning entirely.

Write 螵

螵

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 螵?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 螵

Words Containing This Character2
海螵蛸cuttlebone (used in TCM)
螵piāonest of eggs of mantis
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 螵

What does 海螵蛸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 螵

It refers to a chrysalis or a mantis's nest of eggs.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 螵?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab