Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
蟮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蟮shànearthwormx, 18 strokes, radical 虫
shàn(shan4) T4
  1. 1earthworm
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蟮shàn(shan4)

The character 蟮 (shàn) refers to an earthworm, a type of segmented worm commonly found in soil. Earthworms play a crucial role in soil health and ecosystem, aiding in decomposition and nutrient cycling. It is a less commonly used term compared to other related words in Chinese.

Strokes18Radical虫
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, earthworms are seen as beneficial creatures that improve soil quality, reflecting the importance of harmony with nature in Chinese farming practices. Their presence is often celebrated in discussions about organic farming.

Memory Tip

Imagine an earthworm, which looks like a long, squiggly line. The character 蟮 has the radical 虫 (insect) at the bottom, reminding you it's a creature. The pronunciation 'shàn' sounds like 'shun' in English, so visualize the worm smoothly shunning away dirt as it burrows.

Meanings of 蟮

shàn(shan4)
1earthworm
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蟮

蟮Simplified
18Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蟮

JasonAmy

Podcast: 蟮

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蟮

Usage Notes

This word is quite formal and may not be frequently encountered in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about using it interchangeably with other terms for worms, as it specifically refers to earthworms. It often appears in scientific contexts or discussions about agriculture.

HSK Study Tips

Since 蟮 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it's important for learners to connect it with related terms like 虫 (insect) and other earth-related words. Focus on understanding its specific use in ecological discussions to enhance vocabulary depth.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 蟮 with other similar terms like 蛐蟮, leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, using 蟮 to refer to all types of worms would be incorrect; it should be specifically used for earthworms.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蟮

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 蟮 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 蟮

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

worm

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蟮

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

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

Want the full history of 蟮? 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 蟮?

Decomposition of 蟮

IDS Structure⿰虫善
蟮Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
善shan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蟮?

How to say earthworm in Chinese

“earthworm” in Chinese is蟮shàn

The character 蟮 (shàn) refers to an earthworm, a type of segmented worm commonly found in soil. Earthworms play a crucial role in soil health and ecosystem, aiding in decomposition and nutrient cycling. It is a less commonly used term compared to other related words in Chinese.

When to use 蟮

This word is quite formal and may not be frequently encountered in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about using it interchangeably with other terms for worms, as it specifically refers to earthworms. It often appears in scientific contexts or discussions about agriculture.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 蟮 with other similar terms like 蛐蟮, leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, using 蟮 to refer to all types of worms would be incorrect; it should be specifically used for earthworms.

Write 蟮

蟮

Practice writing 蟮 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 蟮

Words Containing This Character3
蟮shànearthworm (coll.)
蛐蟮earthworm (coll.)
曲蟮earthworm (coll.)
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 蟮 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蟮

No, 蟮 is more specific and is typically used in scientific or agricultural contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蟮?

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.