蟒蛇 (mǎng shé) — boa constrictor; python (large nonvenomous snak… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

boa constrictorpython (large nonvenomous snake)

Measure word · 条

Examples

蟒蛇。
mǎng shé Shì shì jiè shàng zuì dà de shé zhī yī.
The python is one of the largest snakes in the world.
蟒蛇。
Zuó tiān wǒ zài dòng wù yuán kàn jiàn le yì tiáo dà mǎng shé.
Yesterday I saw a large python at the zoo.
蟒蛇。
mǎng shé Tōng cháng shēng huó zài rè dài sēn lín lǐ.
Pythons usually live in tropical forests.

Origin

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.

蟒mǎnglarge snake

'蟒' names a large snake, and '蛇' means snake, so 蟒蛇 refers to a python or boa.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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

虫它蛇

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

它

它tā蛇shé

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

蛇 combines 虫 with 它; 它 gives the sound and was also the original form of this character.

Appears in

Animals & Mammals

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