Meanings of 螫
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About 螫
Podcast: 螫
Podcast: 螫
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AI Study Notes for 螫
蜇 (zhē) - use 螫 (shì) when emphasizing the act of stinging, while 蜇 (zhē) often refers to the sting itself or the condition of being stung.
Be careful not to confuse 螫 with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and specific than colloquial terms like 'sting.' Common collocations include 螫伤 (shìshāng - sting injury) and 螫虫 (shìchóng - stinging insect). Watch out for the tone, as mispronouncing could alter the meaning.
Although 螫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to HSK vocabulary about animals and nature. Focus on recognizing the insect radical and the context in which it is used, as it may appear in more advanced texts discussing ecology or health.
Learners often confuse 螫 with similar words like 扎 (zhā), which also means 'to sting' but can refer to a sharper, more puncturing action. For example, saying '我被针扎了' (Wǒ bèi zhēn zhā le - I was pricked by a needle) instead of using 螫 when discussing stinging insects is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 螫
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Etymology of 螫
insect
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 螫
- 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half赦 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 螫? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 螫
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How to say poison, sting; poisonous insect in Chinese
“poison, sting; poisonous insect” in Chinese is螫
The character 螫 (shì) primarily means 'to sting' or 'to poison,' often in reference to the action of an insect such as a bee or a wasp. It can also denote the sting itself or the venom produced by such creatures. This word is commonly used in contexts discussing insects and their effects on humans or animals.
When to use 螫
Be careful not to confuse 螫 with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and specific than colloquial terms like 'sting.' Common collocations include 螫伤 (shìshāng - sting injury) and 螫虫 (shìchóng - stinging insect). Watch out for the tone, as mispronouncing could alter the meaning.
螫 or something close to it
蜇 (zhē) - use 螫 (shì) when emphasizing the act of stinging, while 蜇 (zhē) often refers to the sting itself or the condition of being stung.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 螫 with similar words like 扎 (zhā), which also means 'to sting' but can refer to a sharper, more puncturing action. For example, saying '我被针扎了' (Wǒ bèi zhēn zhā le - I was pricked by a needle) instead of using 螫 when discussing stinging insects is incorrect.
Write 螫
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Practice writing 螫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 螫
螫 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
蜜甜蜂____人.
Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.
Example Sentences for 螫 (2)
Reorder the Sentence
Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.
Cultural Notes for 螫
In Western cultures, the focus on stings often emphasizes allergic reactions and medical responses, while in China, there's a more nuanced view that can include traditional remedies.
Word Family of 螫
Compound Meaning
What does 螫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 螫
Common insects that use 螫 include wasps, bees, and certain ants, all of which can deliver painful stings.
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