HSK 7, nz, 15 strokes, radical 虫, rank #21598, Very Hard
dié(die2) T2
1butterfly
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蝶(蜨)dié(die2)
The character 蝶 (dié) refers to a butterfly, a symbol of beauty and transformation in various cultures. In Mandarin, it is often used in poetic contexts to evoke grace and delicacy. Common phrases include '蝴蝶效应' (húdié xiàoyìng), meaning 'butterfly effect,' which describes how small changes can lead to significant consequences.
Strokes15Radical虫Frequency#21598DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, butterflies symbolize love and joy, often appearing in art and poetry. They are also associated with transformation and the fleeting nature of life, as seen in traditional stories about souls transforming into butterflies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a delicate butterfly fluttering through a flower garden, its wings painted with vibrant colors. The character 蝶 is made up of the radical 虫 (insect), reminding you that a butterfly is indeed an insect, combined with the phonetic component 也 (yě) which sounds similar to 'ye,' helping you remember the pronunciation 'dié'.
Meanings of 蝶
dié(die2)
1butterfly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 蝶
蝶Simplified
蜨Traditional
15Strokes
虫Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#21598Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 蝶
Podcast: 蝶
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AI Study Notes for 蝶
Quick Contrast
蝶 (dié) vs 昆虫 (kūnchóng) — use 蝶 when specifically referring to butterflies, while 昆虫 is a general term for insects.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a delicate butterfly fluttering through a flower garden, its wings painted with vibrant colors. The character 蝶 is made up of the radical 虫 (insect), reminding you that a butterfly is indeed an insect, combined with the phonetic component 也 (yě) which sounds similar to 'ye,' helping you remember the pronunciation 'dié'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 蝶 with similar characters like 蝴 (hú), which means 'butterfly' in a different context. The tone is crucial; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words. Use 蝶 in literary or artistic contexts rather than everyday conversation, as it carries a more formal tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 蝶 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other animal-related vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing the components of characters and their meanings, especially in poetic or literary texts. Try to practice its usage in phrases to enhance retention.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, butterflies symbolize love and joy, often appearing in art and poetry. They are also associated with transformation and the fleeting nature of life, as seen in traditional stories about souls transforming into butterflies.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 蝶 with other similar characters like 蝴 or 罂 (yīng), leading to incorrect meanings. For example, saying '我看到蝴蝶' (wǒ kàn dào hú) instead of '我看到蝶' (wǒ kàn dào dié) misuses the character and alters the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蝶
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Grammar Patterns of 蝶
蝶 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她现在正在续写达夫妮·杜穆里埃的小说《蝴____梦》。
She is currently writing a sequel to Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca"
Example Sentences for 蝶 (8)
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1
她现在正在续写达夫妮·杜穆里埃的小说《蝴蝶梦》。
tā xiàn zài zhèng zài xù xiě dá fū nī· · dù mù lǐ āi de xiǎo《 shuō 《 hú》。
She is currently writing a sequel to Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca"
2
再用一段丝带，系个蝴蝶结。
zài yòng yī duàn sī dài， ， xì gè hú dié。
Add a length of ribbon tied in a bow.
3
两只绿白相间的蝴蝶扇动着翅膀从他们面前飞过.
liǎng zhī lǜ bái xiāng jiān de hú dié shàn dòng zháo chì bǎng cóng tā mén miàn qián fēi guò.
Two green - and - white butterflies fluttered past them.
4
蝴蝶发狂似地紧抱着他, 悲痛欲绝地与他诀别.
hú dié fā kuáng sì dì jǐn bào zháo tā, , bēi tòng yù jué dì yǔ tā jué.
Butterfly hugs him hysterically, then bids him a heart - rending farewell.
5
一周后蝴蝶破茧而出,绚丽夺目.
yī zhōu hòu hú dié pò jiǎn ér chū, , xuàn lì duó.
A butterfly emerged in its full splendour a week later.
An isolated mountaintop in central Mexico is covered each winter with orange - and - black monarch butterflies.
8
我甚至在一条砖砌小巷里看到了一只不合时令的蝴蝶.
wǒ shèn zhì zài yī tiáo zhuān qì xiǎo xiàng lǐ kàn dào le yī zhī bù hé shí líng de hú dié.
I even saw in a brick passageway an untimely butterfly.
Cultural Notes for 蝶
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, butterflies symbolize love and joy, often appearing in art and poetry. They are also associated with transformation and the fleeting nature of life, as seen in traditional stories about souls transforming into butterflies.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While butterflies are universally recognized as symbols of beauty and change, in Western cultures, they often symbolize the soul or rebirth, whereas in Chinese culture, they are more closely related to love and marital happiness.
Word Family of 蝶
Words Containing This Character12
蝴蝶húdiébutterfly
蝶diébutterfly
蝴蝶结bow蝴蝶結
蝶泳butterfly stroke (swimming)
招蜂引蝶to flirt
蝶骨sphenoid bone (front of the temple)
胡蝶butterfly
凤蝶swallowtail butterfly鳳蝶
蝴蝶花iris
蛱蝶nymphalid蛺蝶
庄周梦蝶Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子 dreams of a butterfly (or is it the butterfly dreaming of Zhuangzi?)莊周夢蝶
蝶山区Dieshan district of Wuzhou city 梧州市[Wúzhōushì], Guangxi蝶山區
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蝴蝶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蝶
The correct pronunciation is 'dié' with a rising tone.
It's best used in poetic or literary contexts; for casual conversations, use more common terms for insects.
Common phrases include '蝴蝶效应' (butterfly effect) and '蝴蝶梦' (butterfly dream).
