Definitions

chǔn (adjective) stupid; foolish
chǔn (adjective) sluggish; clumsy
chǔn (verb) to wiggle; to move clumsily

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 蠢, structured with 春 (spring) above 虫 (insect), originated from the concept of insects becoming active in spring, initially denoting "to move" or "to stir". Its early usage in classical Chinese referred to this literal agitation, but over centuries the meaning transitioned to metaphorically describe foolish or senseless behavior, leading to its contemporary definition as "stupid" or "clumsy". The compound's visual composition has stayed unchanged, directly linking its form to the insect-in-spring imagery while its semantic value moved from physical motion to intellectual deficiency.

Example Sentences Hide

他做了一件事。

Tā zuò le yī jiàn chǔn shì.

He did a stupid thing.

这个主意真愚

Zhè gè zhǔ yì zhēn yú chǔn.

This idea is really foolish.

别犯了,快点工作。

Bié fàn chǔn le, kuài diǎn gōng zuò.

Don't be foolish, hurry up and work.

她认为那个决定很

Tā rèn wéi nà gè jué dìng hěn chǔn.

She thinks that decision is very stupid.

的行为会导致失败。

Yú chǔn de xíng wéi huì dǎo zhì shī bài.

Foolish behavior can lead to failure.

得让人无法理解。

Tā chǔn de ràng rén wú fǎ lǐ jiě.

He is so stupid that it's incomprehensible.

避免错误需要细心。

Bì miǎn chǔn cuò wù xū yào xì xīn.

Avoiding stupid mistakes requires carefulness.

尽管他,但心地善良。

Jǐn guǎn tā chǔn, dàn xīn dì shàn liáng.

Although he is stupid, he is kind-hearted.