虫子 (chóng zi) — insect; bug; worm | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

虫子 is the casual, everyday word for a small crawling bug — broader than 昆虫 (the formal/scientific 'insect', which excludes worms).

noun

insectbugworm

Measure word · 条, 只

虫子。
Dì shàng yǒu yì zhī chóng zi zài màn màn pá.
There is a bug crawling slowly on the ground.
虫子，。
Zhè zhǒng chóng zi huì yǎo rén, nǐ yào xiǎo xīn.
This kind of insect bites, so you should be careful.
虫子，。
Huā yuán lǐ yǒu hěn duō chóng zi, dàn wǒ bú pà tā men.
There are many bugs in the garden, but I'm not afraid of them.

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

子zǐword ending

虫 gives the insect, and 子 is a familiar ending that makes the everyday word.

Characters in this word

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.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

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