About
The character "蚣" exists almost exclusively in the modern language within the compound "蜈蚣", referring to the centipede. Its structure consists of the insect radical 虫 combined with the phonetic component 公, which suggests its pronunciation. While the character's traditional form is identical to its simplified counterpart, its independent use is archaic, as it historically could also denote a type of spider or be part of other now-obsolete insect names. The meaning has narrowed over time to be fixedly associated with the centipede in the bisyllabic word "蜈蚣", with the 虫 component clearly classifying it as a creature and 公 serving primarily as a sound indicator.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我看到一条蜈蚣。
蜈蚣有很多腿。
小心地上的蜈蚣。
蜈蚣是一种节肢动物。
这只蜈蚣的颜色是棕色的。
在花园里经常能找到蜈蚣。
蜈蚣的毒液可以用于医学研究。
尽管蜈蚣外表可怕，但它在生态系统中扮演重要角色。