Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
蛑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蛑móua marine crabx, 12 strokes, radical 虫
蛑móumarine crabunknown, 12 strokes, radical 虫
móu(mou2) T2
  1. 1a marine crab
  2. 2marine crab
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蛑móu(mou2)

The character 蛑 (móu) refers to a type of marine crab. It is used primarily in contexts related to marine biology or seafood cuisine, often appearing in discussions about various seafood dishes or marine life. Although not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is important in specific culinary contexts.

Strokes12Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, seafood such as crabs is highly valued and often featured in festive dishes, especially during celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival. Understanding this character can help learners appreciate the culinary traditions surrounding seafood.

Memory Tip

Imagine a crab scuttling sideways on the beach. The character 蛑 resembles a crab with its legs spread out, while 'móu' sounds like 'mole,' a creature that digs but in this case, it’s the crab that digs into the sand. Picture the crab with a tiny shovel digging for food.

Meanings of 蛑

móu(mou2)
1a marine crab
2marine crab
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蛑

蛑Simplified
12Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蛑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 蛑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蛑

Usage Notes

This term is quite specialized, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing marine life or seafood specifically. Be cautious of tone; the 'móu' pronunciation is in the second tone, which can change the meaning if pronounced incorrectly. Common collocations include phrases related to seafood dishes or specific types of crabs.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蛑 (móu) is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be linked to HSK Level 4 terms related to food and animals. Focus on recognizing the character within the context of marine life to enhance comprehension of related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蛑 with other similar-sounding words or characters. For example, using 蛑 to refer to land crabs is incorrect; it specifically denotes a marine crab. Always remember its marine context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蛑

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 蛑 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

Etymology of 蛑

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

insect

Semantic (meaning)虫
+
Phonetic (sound)牟
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蛑

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half牟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayinsect
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 蛑? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蛑?

Decomposition of 蛑

IDS Structure⿰虫牟
蛑Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
牟Mou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蛑?

How to say a marine crab in Chinese

“a marine crab” in Chinese is蛑móu

The character 蛑 (móu) refers to a type of marine crab. It is used primarily in contexts related to marine biology or seafood cuisine, often appearing in discussions about various seafood dishes or marine life. Although not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is important in specific culinary contexts.

When to use 蛑

This term is quite specialized, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing marine life or seafood specifically. Be cautious of tone; the 'móu' pronunciation is in the second tone, which can change the meaning if pronounced incorrectly. Common collocations include phrases related to seafood dishes or specific types of crabs.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蛑 with other similar-sounding words or characters. For example, using 蛑 to refer to land crabs is incorrect; it specifically denotes a marine crab. Always remember its marine context.

Write 蛑

蛑

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 蛑

Words Containing This Character1
蛑móumarine crab
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 蛑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蛑

No, 蛑 is primarily used in specific contexts related to marine life or seafood.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蛑?

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.