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青蛙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
青蛙qīngwāfrogHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5272, Very Hard
青蛙qīngwā(slang) ugly guyHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5272, Very Hard
qīngwā(qing1wa1)qing wa T1
  1. 1frog
  2. 2(slang) ugly guy
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March 24, 2026

青蛙qīngwā(qing1wa1)

青蛙 (qīngwā) means 'frog' in Mandarin, referring to the amphibious creature commonly found in wet environments. Additionally, in slang usage, it can refer to an 'ugly guy,' often in a playful or teasing context among friends. Understanding both meanings can help you grasp the playful nature of informal conversations.

Strokes20Frequency#5272DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

Frogs are often associated with rain in Chinese culture, symbolizing fertility and abundance, as they are seen during the rainy season. In folklore, they can represent good luck and transformation.

Memory tip

Imagine a frog (青蛙) jumping in a green (青) pond, its wide eyes staring at you, making it both cute and a little odd-looking, which connects to its slang meaning of an 'ugly guy.' The '青' character looks like a green leaf, hinting at the frog's natural habitat.

Meanings of 青蛙

qīngwā(qing1wa1)
1frog
2(slang) ugly guy
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About 青蛙

青蛙Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 青蛙

Usage Notes

When using 青蛙 in a sentence, be mindful of context to avoid confusion, especially when using the slang meaning. It's more commonly used in informal settings, so avoid it in formal discussions. Note the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 青蛙 is not on any HSK list, it connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to animals, such as 狗 (dog) or 猫 (cat). Focus on the tones and pronunciation to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up the tones, saying 'qing2 wa1' instead of 'qing1 wa1', which can lead to misunderstanding. Make sure to practice the correct tones to maintain clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 青蛙

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Component characters

青qīnggreen or blue
HSK 58 strokes青
View full entry
蛙wāfrog
12 strokes虫
View full entry

How to say frog in Chinese

“frog” in Chinese is青蛙qīngwā

青蛙 (qīngwā) means 'frog' in Mandarin, referring to the amphibious creature commonly found in wet environments. Additionally, in slang usage, it can refer to an 'ugly guy,' often in a playful or teasing context among friends. Understanding both meanings can help you grasp the playful nature of informal conversations.

When to use 青蛙

When using 青蛙 in a sentence, be mindful of context to avoid confusion, especially when using the slang meaning. It's more commonly used in informal settings, so avoid it in formal discussions. Note the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up the tones, saying 'qing2 wa1' instead of 'qing1 wa1', which can lead to misunderstanding. Make sure to practice the correct tones to maintain clarity.

Write 青蛙

青
蛙

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Frequently asked questions about 青蛙

Make sure to use the first tone for 青 (qīng) and the first tone for 蛙 (wā) to get it right.

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