Definitions
firefly; glow-worm
Etymology phono-semantic
insect
Semantic:
虫
About
The character 萤, representing the firefly, derives from its traditional form 螢, which is constructed from the grass radical 艸 atop the phonetic element 熒, suggesting a glimmering light, and the insect radical 虫 at the base to classify the creature, thereby etymologically connecting the written symbol to the insect's grassy habitat and its luminous quality. While the graphical structure has seen modifications over centuries, leading to a streamlined form with the grass radical abbreviated to 艹 and the phonetic component rendered as 荧, the character's core meaning has consistently referred to the bioluminescent insect, maintaining its original semantic focus on light emission and natural environment.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
夏天的夜晚有萤火虫。
萤火虫的光很微弱。
我看见几只萤火虫在飞。
草丛中的萤光像小星星。
孩子们追逐着飞舞的流萤。
那点微光宛如夜萤，给了我方向。
回忆如同萤火，在脑海深处闪烁不定。
这古老的传说为萤火虫增添了一丝神秘色彩。