蚯

qiū
丘 + 虫

Definitions

qiū used in 蚯蚓[qiū yǐn]

Etymology phono-semantic

worm

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 丘

About

蚯 is a phono-semantic compound composed of the insect radical 虫, which broadly covers insects, worms, and reptiles, and the phonetic 丘, pronounced qiū, meaning 'hill' or 'mound'. This character never appears independently; it is only found in the compound 蚯蚓 (qiūyǐn), which means earthworm, a creature known for burrowing in soil. The 'mound' meaning of the phonetic component subtly reinforces the earthworm's habitat, while also providing the pronunciation, and 蚯 has no other function.

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