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March 24, 2026
螂(蜋)láng(lang2)
The character 螂 (láng) refers to a type of insect, specifically the mantis or dung beetle. It is commonly used in discussions about entomology or when referring to specific insects in nature, particularly in agricultural contexts.
Strokes14Radical虫
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, insects like the mantis are sometimes featured in poetry and folklore, symbolizing patience and strategy due to their hunting methods. They are often admired for their unique appearance and behavior.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'long' (sounds like 'láng') mantis stretching its limbs as it waits to catch its prey. The character has a radical that suggests its insect nature, with the top part resembling the head and the bottom part implying its legs.
Meanings of 螂
láng(lang2)
1mantis, dung beetle
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 螂
螂Simplified
蜋Traditional
14Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 螂
Podcast: 螂
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AI Study Notes for 螂
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 螂 with similar-sounding characters, as they can have different meanings. This term is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, so it is best suited for academic or ecological discussions.
HSK Study Tips
Although 螂 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for students interested in biology or the natural sciences. Focus on its pronunciation and the context in which it appears to better understand its usage among entomologists.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 螂 with similar characters due to pronunciation. For example, using '狼' (láng, meaning 'wolf') instead of 螂. Remember, 螂 specifically refers to insects.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 螂
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Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 郎 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蜋.
1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
2The sound half郎 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayinsect
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 螂? 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 螂?
Decomposition of 螂
IDS Structure⿰虫郎
螂Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
郎Lang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 螂?
How to say mantis, dung beetle in Chinese
“mantis, dung beetle” in Chinese is螂láng
The character 螂 (láng) refers to a type of insect, specifically the mantis or dung beetle. It is commonly used in discussions about entomology or when referring to specific insects in nature, particularly in agricultural contexts.
When to use 螂
Be careful not to confuse 螂 with similar-sounding characters, as they can have different meanings. This term is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, so it is best suited for academic or ecological discussions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 螂 with similar characters due to pronunciation. For example, using '狼' (láng, meaning 'wolf') instead of 螂. Remember, 螂 specifically refers to insects.
Write 螂
螂
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Practice writing 螂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 螂
螂 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
如果她宁愿去看蟑____和胀饱了的袋鼠,她一定是觉得克雷杜克先生呆头呆脑.
She must find Mr. Craddock precious dull if she prefers blackbeetles and stuffed kangaroos.
Example Sentences for 螂 (3)
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1
如果她宁愿去看蟑螂和胀饱了的袋鼠,她一定是觉得克雷杜克先生呆头呆脑.
rú guǒ tā níng yuàn qù kàn zhāng láng hé zhàng bǎo le de dài shǔ, , tā yī dìng shì jué dé kè léi dù kè xiān shēng dāi tóu dāi.
She must find Mr. Craddock precious dull if she prefers blackbeetles and stuffed kangaroos.
2
他发现自己的哥哥住在一套破旧肮脏、蟑螂肆虐的公寓里。
tā fā xiàn zì jǐ de gē gē zhù zài yī tào pò jiù āng zāng、 、 zhāng láng sì nüè de gōng yù。
He found his brother in a seedy, roach-infested apartment.
A species of cockroach sprays a substance , ethylacrolein, that is a kind of tear gas.
Word Family of 螂
Words Containing This Character6
蟑螂cockroach
螳螂mantis
螂lángmantis
螳螂捕蝉the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (idiom, from Daoist classic Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger螳螂捕蟬
蜣螂dung beetle
蚂螂dragonfly螞螂
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蟑螂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 螂
It means 'mantis' or 'dung beetle.'
No, it's more frequently used in scientific or ecological contexts.
Think of a 'long' mantis stretching to catch its food.
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