蚯

qiū
丘 + 虫
Frequency#4116

Definitions

qiū used in 蚯蚓[qiū yǐn]

Etymology phono-semantic

worm

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 丘

About

The character 蚯 is a relatively late creation in Chinese writing, formed specifically for the word 蚯蚓 (earthworm). Its structure is a semantic-phonetic compound, consisting of the 虫 (insect/worm) radical to denote its biological category and the component 丘, which primarily provides a phonetic cue but also carries a loose associative meaning related to soil mounds or hills, the creature's habitat. The character has no independent meaning outside of this compound, and its usage as well as its form, which is identical in both traditional and simplified systems, have remained stable since its adoption.

Example Sentences Hide

蚯蚓在泥土里。

Qiū yǐn zài ní tǔ lǐ.

Earthworms are in the soil.

花园里有蚯蚓。

Huā yuán lǐ yǒu qiū yǐn.

There are earthworms in the garden.

蚯蚓能松软土壤。

Qiū yǐn néng sōng ruǎn tǔ rǎng.

Earthworms can loosen the soil.

弟弟害怕蚯蚓。

Dì di hài pà qiū yǐn.

My younger brother is afraid of earthworms.

蚯蚓是益虫，对农业有好处。

Qiū yǐn shì yì chóng, duì nóng yè yǒu hǎo chù.

Earthworms are beneficial insects and good for agriculture.

雨后，草地上爬出很多蚯蚓。

Yǔ hòu, cǎo dì shàng pá chū hěn duō qiū yǐn.

After rain, many earthworms crawl out on the grass.

科学家研究蚯蚓的再生能力。

Kē xué jiā yán jiū qiū yǐn de zài shēng néng lì.

Scientists study the regenerative ability of earthworms.

使用蚯蚓进行堆肥是一种环保的方法。

Shǐ yòng qiū yǐn jìn xíng duī féi shì yī zhǒng huán bǎo de fāng fǎ.

Using earthworms for composting is an environmentally friendly method.

Related Characters

Component: 丘

兵 岳 丘 邱 乒 乓 茊 虗 坵 駈

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛋 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁

Example Words

蚯蚓