萤

螢

yíng

虫 + 𫇦

Definitions

yíng firefly; glow-worm

Etymology phono-semantic

insect

Semantic: 虫

About

萤 is a phono-semantic compound meaning "firefly" or "glowworm". Its traditional form, 螢, has the insect radical 虫 at the bottom, classifying it as a bug. The upper component 𤇾 shows two 火 (fire) characters over a roof 冖, visually depicting the light the insect emits. The simplified version replaces this complex top with the grass radical 艹, streamlining the structure while keeping the core insect meaning. The character thus refers both to the bioluminescent insect itself and to a faint, glowing light.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

夏天的夜晚有萤火虫。

Xiàtiān de yèwǎn yǒu yínghuǒchóng.

There are fireflies on summer nights.

萤火虫的光很微弱。

Yínghuǒchóng de guāng hěn wēiruò.

The light of a firefly is very faint.

我看见几只萤火虫在飞。

Wǒ kànjiàn jǐ zhī yínghuǒchóng zài fēi.

I see a few fireflies flying.

草丛中的萤光像小星星。

Cǎocóng zhōng de yíngguāng xiàng xiǎo xīngxing.

The firefly light in the grass is like little stars.

孩子们追逐着飞舞的流萤。

Háizimen zhuīzhú zhe fēiwǔ de liúyíng.

The children are chasing the dancing fireflies.

那点微光宛如夜萤，给了我方向。

Nà diǎn wēiguāng wǎnrú yè yíng, gěi le wǒ fāngxiàng.

That faint glimmer, like a night firefly, gave me direction.

回忆如同萤火，在脑海深处闪烁不定。

Huíyì rútóng yínghuǒ, zài nǎohǎi shēnchù shǎnshuò bù dìng.

Memories are like fireflies, flickering uncertainly in the depths of the mind.

这古老的传说为萤火虫增添了一丝神秘色彩。

Zhè gǔlǎo de chuánshuō wèi yínghuǒchóng zēngtiān le yìsī shénmì sècǎi.

This ancient legend adds a touch of mystery to fireflies.

Related Characters

Component: 虫

Component: 𫇦

萤