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蜓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蜓tíngdragonflyx, 12 strokes, radical 虫
tíng(ting2) T2
  1. 1dragonfly
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蜓tíng(ting2)

The character 蜓 (tíng) specifically refers to a dragonfly, a type of insect known for its long body and large, multifaceted eyes. It is often associated with agility and grace in flight. While it is less commonly used on its own, it is frequently encountered in compound words and contexts discussing nature or insects.

Strokes12Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, dragonflies are often seen as symbols of change and transformation, reflecting the beauty of nature. They are also associated with summer and are commonly depicted in Chinese poetry and art.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 蜓 (tíng) as a 'tingling' sensation you feel when you see a dragonfly dance in the air. The '虫' radical (insect) clearly indicates its meaning relates to insects, while the '廷' part can remind you of a 'wing' with its elongated shape, similar to a dragonfly’s wings.

Meanings of 蜓

tíng(ting2)
1dragonfly
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蜓

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

Podcast: 蜓

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Podcast: 蜓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蜓

Quick Contrast

蜻蜓 (qīngtíng) vs 蜓 (tíng) — use 蜻蜓 for the more common term 'dragonfly' in general contexts.

Usage Notes

The character 蜓 is rarely used in isolation and is best learned in conjunction with its compound form 蜻蜓 (qīngtíng). It's more common to see it in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful with the tone; the second tone (tíng) is crucial, as mixing it with the first tone can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While 蜓 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can deepen knowledge of related words like 蜻蜓 (qīngtíng). Students at HSK 2-3 should focus on recognizing compound words that feature this character, as it enhances vocabulary related to nature and animals.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 蜓 (tíng) with other similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 蜓 when they mean to say 蜻蜓 (qīngtíng) is a common error. Always remember that 蜓 is not used independently in daily language.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蜓

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Etymology of 蜓

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

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 廷 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

insect

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蜓

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 廷 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half廷 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 蜓? 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 蜓?

Decomposition of 蜓

IDS Structure⿰虫廷
蜓Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
廷ting2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蜓?

How to say dragonfly in Chinese

“dragonfly” in Chinese is蜓tíng

The character 蜓 (tíng) specifically refers to a dragonfly, a type of insect known for its long body and large, multifaceted eyes. It is often associated with agility and grace in flight. While it is less commonly used on its own, it is frequently encountered in compound words and contexts discussing nature or insects.

When to use 蜓

The character 蜓 is rarely used in isolation and is best learned in conjunction with its compound form 蜻蜓 (qīngtíng). It's more common to see it in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful with the tone; the second tone (tíng) is crucial, as mixing it with the first tone can lead to confusion.

蜓 or something close to it

蜻蜓 (qīngtíng) vs 蜓 (tíng) — use 蜻蜓 for the more common term 'dragonfly' in general contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 蜓 (tíng) with other similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 蜓 when they mean to say 蜻蜓 (qīngtíng) is a common error. Always remember that 蜓 is not used independently in daily language.

Write 蜓

蜓

Practice writing 蜓 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 蜓

Words Containing This Character4
蜻蜓dragonfly
蜓tíngdragonfly
蜻蜓点水superficial contact (idiom)蜻蜓點水
蜻蜓撼石柱lit. the dragon-fly shakes the stone tower (idiom); fig. to overestimate one's capabilities
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 蜻蜓 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蜓

It is pronounced as 'tíng' with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蜓?

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.