蛙

鼃

wā

Rank #2904

Definitions

wā (noun) frog

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 圭 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鼃.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 圭

About

The character 蛙, representing the frog, is a semantic-phonetic compound formed by the radical 虫, indicating a creature or insect, and the component 圭, which primarily provides the phonetic value "wa". This structure reflects the historical practice of classifying small animals under the 虫 category, while the phonetic element 圭, unrelated in meaning, ensures consistent pronunciation. Etymologically, the character has maintained a stable association with frogs and toads since its early usage, with the radical 虫 anchoring it in the realm of living creatures. Its core meaning has persisted without substantial alteration, though it occasionally extends into compound words or metaphorical uses that draw upon the amphibian's characteristics.

Example Sentences Hide

池塘里有一只青蛙。

Chí táng lǐ yǒu yī zhǐ qīng wā.

There is a frog in the pond.

夜晚能听到青蛙的叫声。

Yè wǎn néng tīng dào qīng wā de jiào shēng.

You can hear the sound of frogs croaking at night.

小青蛙是捕虫的能手。

Xiǎo qīng wā shì bǔ chóng de néng shǒu.

Little frogs are experts at catching insects.

这只树蛙的颜色很鲜艳。

Zhè zhī shù wā de yán sè hěn xiān yàn.

This tree frog has very bright colors.

科学家在雨林研究蛙类。

Kē xué jiā zài yǔ lín yán jiū wā lèi.

Scientists are studying frogs in the rainforest.

蛙泳是一种模仿青蛙的游泳姿势。

Wā yǒng shì yī zhǒng mó fǎng qīng wā de yóu yǒng zī shì.

The breaststroke is a swimming style that imitates frogs.

这片湿地是多种蛙的理想栖息地。

Zhè piàn shī dì shì duō zhǒng wā de lǐ xiǎng qī xī dì.

This wetland is an ideal habitat for many species of frogs.

他像井底之蛙，对外面的世界一无所知。

Tā xiàng jǐng dǐ zhī wā, duì wài miàn de shì jiè yī wú suǒ zhī.

He is like a frog at the bottom of a well, knowing nothing of the outside world.

Related Characters

Component: 圭

Component: 虫

Components

圭虫

蛙