成虫 (chéng chóng) — adult insect, imago (in zoology)

Definition

A biology/zoology term for the sexually mature adult stage of an insect, contrasted with 幼虫 (larva).

noun

adult insectimago (in zoology)

Measure word · 只

成虫。
Zhè zhǒng kūn chóng de chéng chóng shòu mìng hěn duǎn.
The adult stage of this insect species has a very short lifespan.
成虫。
Yòu chóng hé chéng chóng zài wài xíng shàng yǒu hěn dà qū bié.
Larvae and adult insects differ greatly in appearance.
成虫。
Xǔ duō hú dié de chéng chóng yǐ huā mì wèi shí.
The adult form of many butterflies feeds on nectar.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

成chéngfully developed

“成” fully developed and “虫” insect combine to mean an adult insect.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng成chéng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 蟲; 虫 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 蟲 is the one the reference discusses; 虫 is also a traditional character on its own.