蜕

蛻

tuì

兑 + 虫

Definitions

tuì skin cast off during molting; exuvia; to pupate; to molt; to slough; to cast off an old skin or shell

Etymology

An insect 虫 changing 兑 its skin; 兑 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 蜕 is a phono-semantic compound. The radical 虫 indicates creeping creatures (insects, reptiles), and the component 兑 (simplified from 兌 in the traditional form 蛻) not only gives the pronunciation but also suggests the meaning "to change". The character primarily refers to molting: the biological process of shedding old skin or exoskeleton, and the discarded skin itself, such as a snake's shed skin or a cicada's shell. Figuratively, it describes a transformative change of state, as when a person sheds their former self to emerge in a new condition.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条蛇正在蜕皮。

Zhè tiáo shé zhèngzài tuì pí.

This snake is shedding its skin.

幼虫蜕变成蝴蝶。

Yòuchóng tuìbiàn chéng húdié.

The larva transforms into a butterfly.

蝉蜕是一种中药材。

Chántuì shì yī zhǒng zhōngyàocái.

Cicada slough is a type of traditional Chinese medicine.

蜕皮是成长的过程。

Tuì pí shì chéngzhǎng de guòchéng.

Shedding skin is a process of growth.

每次蜕皮都意味着新生。

Měi cì tuì pí dōu yìwèizhe xīnshēng.

Each shedding of skin signifies rebirth.

他经历了人生的蜕变。

Tā jīnglìle rénshēng de tuìbiàn.

He experienced a transformation in life.

公司正在经历蜕变阶段。

Gōngsī zhèngzài jīnglì tuìbiàn jiēduàn.

The company is going through a transformation phase.

蜕化变质是危险的。

Tuìhuà biànzhì shì wēixiǎn de.

Degeneration is dangerous.

Related Characters

Component: 兑

Component: 虫

蜕