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螗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
螗tánga kind of cicadag, 16 strokes, radical 虫
螗tángvariety of small cicada with a green back and a clear song (in ancient books)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 虫
táng(tang2) T2
  1. 1a kind of cicada
  2. 2variety of small cicada with a green back and a clear song (in ancient books)
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March 24, 2026

螗táng(tang2)

The character 螗 (táng) refers to a specific type of cicada, particularly one that has a green back and is known for its clear song. It is often mentioned in ancient texts and is associated with the sounds of nature, especially in summer. This character is less commonly used in modern language, often appearing in literary or poetic contexts.

Strokes16Radical虫
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, cicadas symbolize rebirth and immortality due to their life cycle and ability to emerge after long periods underground. The sound of cicadas is often associated with summer and evokes nostalgia in poetry and music.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny green cicada singing sweetly in the summer sun. The character 螗 has a '虫' (insect) radical, emphasizing its nature as an insect, while the rest of the character gives it a unique identity as a cicada. Visualize this cicada perched on a green leaf, its clear song echoing through the trees.

Meanings of 螗

táng(tang2)
1a kind of cicada
2variety of small cicada with a green back and a clear song (in ancient books)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 螗

螗Simplified
16Strokes
虫Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 螗

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Podcast: 螗

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AI Study Notes for 螗

Usage Notes

While 螗 is an interesting character, it's not commonly used in everyday language, so learners might confuse it with more common terms for cicadas like 蝉 (chán). It is more appropriate in formal or literary contexts. Be aware of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Though 螗 is not included in standard HSK vocabulary lists, studying it can enhance your understanding of specific animal-related terms. Focus on the '虫' radical to connect it with other insect-related vocabulary, like 蝉 (chán) and 蜜蜂 (mìfēng, bee), to deepen your knowledge of the natural world in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 螗 with the more commonly used cicada character 蝉 (chán). For example, saying '我喜欢听螗叫' (wǒ xǐhuān tīng táng jiào) instead of '我喜欢听蝉叫' (wǒ xǐhuān tīng chán jiào) is incorrect, as 螗 is rarely used in contemporary language.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 螗

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Etymology of 螗

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

insect

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 螗

  1. 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half唐 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 螗? 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 螗?

Decomposition of 螗

IDS Structure⿰虫唐
螗Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
唐Tang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 螗?

How to say a kind of cicada in Chinese

“a kind of cicada” in Chinese is螗táng

The character 螗 (táng) refers to a specific type of cicada, particularly one that has a green back and is known for its clear song. It is often mentioned in ancient texts and is associated with the sounds of nature, especially in summer. This character is less commonly used in modern language, often appearing in literary or poetic contexts.

When to use 螗

While 螗 is an interesting character, it's not commonly used in everyday language, so learners might confuse it with more common terms for cicadas like 蝉 (chán). It is more appropriate in formal or literary contexts. Be aware of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 螗 with the more commonly used cicada character 蝉 (chán). For example, saying '我喜欢听螗叫' (wǒ xǐhuān tīng táng jiào) instead of '我喜欢听蝉叫' (wǒ xǐhuān tīng chán jiào) is incorrect, as 螗 is rarely used in contemporary language.

Write 螗

螗

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

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Word Family of 螗

Words Containing This Character1
螗tángvariety of small cicada with a green back and a clear song (in ancient books)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 螗 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 螗

It refers to a specific type of cicada known for its green back and clear song.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 螗?

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.