蚤 (zǎo) — flea (bound form, used in compound words)

Definition

蚤 (zǎo) is a bound form meaning 'flea' — it never stands alone and only appears in compounds like 跳蚤. The common compound 跳蚤 is also used for 'flea market'.

bound form
flea (bound form, used in compound words)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Zhè zhǒng tiào zǎo fēi cháng xiǎo, hěn nán kàn jiàn.
    This kind of flea is very small and hard to see.
  • ，。
    Wǒ de māo shēn shàng yǒu tiào zǎo, xū yào xǐ zǎo.
    My cat has fleas on its body and needs a bath.
  • 。
    Zhōu mò wǒ men qù tiào zǎo shì chǎng guàng guàng ba.
    Let's go browse the flea market this weekend.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

蚤 pairs 虫 (insect) with 㕚 (claw), showing an insect that scratches.

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