Definitions

xiē variant of 蠍|蝎[xiē]
xiē (bound form) scorpion

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 蝎, denoting the scorpion, derives from a phonetic-semantic compound structure where the insect radical 虫 classifies it as a creature, while the phonetic component has historically alternated between 曷 and 歇 across its forms. Originally applied in early texts to a variety of venomous insects, its meaning progressively concentrated on the scorpion alone, reflecting a linguistic refinement that anchored the term to a specific animal. The simplified iteration 蝎 consistently pairs the 虫 radical with 曷 for sound, whereas the traditional form 蠍 substitutes the phonetic with 歇, yet both versions preserve the core semantic indicator linking the character to the category of arthropods. This transition from a general referent to a precise zoological designation illustrates how the character's application became more specialized within the lexicon over its historical development.

Example Sentences Hide

我在沙漠里看到

Wǒ zài shāmò lǐ kàndào xiēzi

I saw a scorpion in the desert.

子是一种毒虫

Xiēzi shì yī zhǒng dúchóng

Scorpions are a type of poisonous insect.

小心那只毒

Xiǎoxīn nà zhī dú xiēzi

Be careful of that poisonous scorpion.

座是我的星座

Tiānxiēzuò shì wǒ de xīngzuò

Scorpio is my zodiac sign.

他被子蜇伤了手臂

Tā bèi xiēzi zhēshāngle shǒubì

His arm was stung by a scorpion.

在干燥地区子很常见

Zài gānzào dìqū xiēzi hěn chángjiàn

Scorpions are common in arid regions.

研究人员正在研究

Yánjiū rényuán zhèngzài yánjiū xiēdú

Researchers are studying scorpion venom.

这只子的毒性非常强烈

Zhè zhǐ xiēzi de dúxìng fēicháng qiángliè

This scorpion's venom is extremely potent.