Definitions

xiè (noun) crab

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "蟹", representing the crab, is etymologically a phono-semantic compound that integrates the radical "虫", classifying it as a creature, with the component "解", which primarily denotes pronunciation but also implicitly evokes the crab's distinctive anatomy of separable joints and segments. Its meaning has remained narrowly focused on the crustacean throughout documented use, without significant semantic expansion or alteration. The structural relationship between its components has been maintained over centuries, with "解" providing a stable phonetic cue while "虫" continuously signals its zoological category, ensuring the character's consistent identification within the written language.

Example Sentences Hide

这只螃有八条腿。

Zhè zhī pángxiè yǒu bā tiáo tuǐ.

This crab has eight legs.

我昨天买了几只大螃

Wǒ zuótiān mǎile jǐ zhī dà pángxiè.

I bought several large crabs yesterday.

的味道非常鲜美。

Pángxiè de wèidào fēichāng xiānměi.

Crab tastes very delicious.

妈妈正在厨房里蒸螃

Māmā zhèngzài chúfáng lǐ zhēng pángxiè.

Mom is steaming crabs in the kitchen.

秋季是吃的最佳季节。

Qiūjì shì chī xiè de zuì jiā jìjié.

Autumn is the best season for eating crab.

他的性格有点横行霸道,像只螃

Tā de xìnggé yǒudiǎn héngxíngbàdào, xiàng zhī pángxiè.

His personality is somewhat domineering, like a crab.

这家餐厅的招牌菜是香辣

Zhè jiā cāntīng de zhāopái cài shì xiānglà xiè.

The signature dish of this restaurant is spicy crab.

保护红树林对于许多类的生存至关重要。

Bǎohù hóngshùlín duìyú xǔduō xiè lèi de shēngcún zhíguān zhòngyào.

Protecting mangrove forests is crucial for the survival of many crab species.