蟆

蟇
má
莫 + 虫
Frequency#3849

Definitions

má (noun) toad

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蟇.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 莫

About

The character "蟆" developed from the traditional form "蟇", which combined the phonetic element "莫" with the semantic radical "虫" in a top-bottom structure to indicate a creature categorized as an insect or reptile, specifically a toad. Its modern form rearranges these components into a left-right configuration, with "虫" on the left and "莫" on the right. Historically, the character has appeared almost exclusively in the compound "蛤蟆", denoting toads, and its meaning has remained tied to this amphibian throughout its linguistic use.

Example Sentences Hide

我看见一只蛤蟆。

Wǒ kànjiàn yī zhī háma.

I see a toad.

蛤蟆在草地上跳。

Háma zài cǎodì shàng tiào.

The toad is jumping on the grass.

小孩子害怕蛤蟆。

Xiǎo háizi hàipà háma.

Children are afraid of toads.

昨天我听到蛤蟆叫。

Zuótiān wǒ tīng dào háma jiào.

Yesterday I heard a toad croaking.

因为下雨，蛤蟆出来了。

Yīnwèi xià yǔ, háma chūlái le.

Because it rained, the toads came out.

蛤蟆比青蛙皮肤粗糙。

Háma bǐ qīngwā pífū cūcāo.

Toads have rougher skin than frogs.

我看到蛤蟆跳进水里，然后消失了。

Wǒ kàndào háma tiào jìn shuǐ lǐ, ránhòu xiāoshī le.

I saw the toad jump into the water and then disappear.

尽管蛤蟆外表丑陋，但它能捕捉害虫。

Jǐnguǎn háma wàibiǎo chǒulòu, dàn tā néng bǔzhuō hàichóng.

Although toads are ugly in appearance, they can catch pests.

Related Characters

Component: 莫

模 幕 摸 漠 墓 膜 慕 寞 募 暮 摹 蓦 谟 馍

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛋 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁

Example Words

癞蛤蟆 蛤蟆 蛤蟆镜