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蟄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蟄zhéto hibernatex, 17 strokes, radical 虫, rank #53068, Very Hard
zhé(zhe2) T2
  1. 1to hibernate
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蟄zhé(zhe2)

The character 蟄 (zhé) means 'to hibernate' and refers to the state in which animals, particularly reptiles and insects, slow down their metabolism and remain inactive during specific seasons. It is often used in biological contexts or to describe dormancy in nature, emphasizing a period of rest and conservation of energy.

Strokes17Radical虫Frequency#53068DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of hibernation is often linked to the natural rhythms of life and the importance of rest during harsh seasons, reflecting traditional agricultural practices and respect for nature's cycles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'z' shaped snake curling up tightly in a warm burrow for winter, representing hibernation. The character 蟄 has the radical for insect (虫) suggesting that it's related to creatures that hibernate.

Meanings of 蟄

zhé(zhe2)
1to hibernate
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蟄

蟄Simplified
17Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蟄

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Podcast: 蟄

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AI Study Notes for 蟄

Usage Notes

This word is primarily used in formal contexts, such as scientific discussions about animal behaviors. A common mistake is to confuse 蟄 with similar-sounding words or phrases that refer to activity rather than inactivity. Remember that it specifically implies a state of rest.

HSK Study Tips

While 蟄 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to related words like 休眠 (xiūmián, to hibernate/sleep) and 冬眠 (dōngmián, winter sleep). Focus on understanding the context of dormancy in both animals and plants to better grasp its usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蟄 with 活 (huó, to live), mistakenly using it in contexts suggesting activity. For example, saying 蟄活 instead of simply using 蟄 to mean 'hibernate' is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蟄

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Etymology of 蟄

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

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 执 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蟄.

Memory Hint

insect

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蟄

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 执 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蟄.

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half執 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 蟄? 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 蟄?

Decomposition of 蟄

IDS Structure⿱執虫
蟄Full Character
=
執zhi2
top
虫chong2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蟄?

How to say to hibernate in Chinese

“to hibernate” in Chinese is蟄zhé

The character 蟄 (zhé) means 'to hibernate' and refers to the state in which animals, particularly reptiles and insects, slow down their metabolism and remain inactive during specific seasons. It is often used in biological contexts or to describe dormancy in nature, emphasizing a period of rest and conservation of energy.

When to use 蟄

This word is primarily used in formal contexts, such as scientific discussions about animal behaviors. A common mistake is to confuse 蟄 with similar-sounding words or phrases that refer to activity rather than inactivity. Remember that it specifically implies a state of rest.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蟄 with 活 (huó, to live), mistakenly using it in contexts suggesting activity. For example, saying 蟄活 instead of simply using 蟄 to mean 'hibernate' is incorrect.

Write 蟄

蟄

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

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Word Family of 蟄

Words Containing This Character7
蛰zhéto hibernate蟄
蛰伏hibernation蟄伏
惊蛰Jingzhe or Insects Wake, 3rd of the 24 solar terms 二十四節氣|二十四节气 6th-20th March驚蟄
蛰居to live in seclusion蟄居
蛰虫dormant insect蟄蟲
蛰藏to hibernate蟄藏
冬蛰hibernation冬蟄
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 蛰 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蟄

It is pronounced as 'zhé'.

Jason Recommends

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