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March 24, 2026
蠶cán(can2)
The character 蠶 (cán) refers to a silkworm, which is a crucial insect in the production of silk. In Chinese culture, silkworms are associated with traditional silk-making practices and are often linked to the agricultural economy. The word is commonly used in contexts related to textiles and traditional crafts.
Strokes24Radical虫Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the silk trade was immensely important, and silkworms were cultivated in sericulture, a practice that is still significant today. The process of raising silkworms and harvesting silk is celebrated in various cultural festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a silkworm crawling along a thread of silk, which represents its primary role in silk production. The character 蠶 has the radical for insect (虫) on the bottom, which helps you remember that it refers to an insect, and 'can' (sounds like 'cán') reminds you of its soft, silky nature.
Meanings of 蠶
cán(can2)
1silkworm
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 蠶
蠶Simplified
24Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蠶
Podcast: 蠶
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AI Study Notes for 蠶
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a silkworm crawling along a thread of silk, which represents its primary role in silk production. The character 蠶 has the radical for insect (虫) on the bottom, which helps you remember that it refers to an insect, and 'can' (sounds like 'cán') reminds you of its soft, silky nature.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 蠶 (cán) with 蚕 (cán), which is a variant form that is more commonly used. The tone is important; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings. This term is generally used in a more formal or literary context.
HSK Study Tips
While 蠶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other words related to insects and textiles at higher levels. Students should focus on the pronunciation and the context in which silkworms are discussed, especially in relation to silk production.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the silk trade was immensely important, and silkworms were cultivated in sericulture, a practice that is still significant today. The process of raising silkworms and harvesting silk is celebrated in various cultural festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蠶 (cán) with 蚕 (cán) due to their similar meanings. Remember that 蠶 is less commonly used and is often found in literary contexts, while 蚕 is the standard term in everyday language.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蠶
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Cultural Notes for 蠶
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the silk trade was immensely important, and silkworms were cultivated in sericulture, a practice that is still significant today. The process of raising silkworms and harvesting silk is celebrated in various cultural festivals.
Word Family of 蠶
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 蠶
Silkworms are central to the traditional silk-making industry, symbolizing wealth and craftsmanship.
Yes, they refer to the same insect, but 蚕 is the more commonly used variant in everyday language.
