蚂

螞
mā, mǎ, mà
虫 + 马

Definitions

mǎ (noun) ant
mā (noun) dragonfly
mà (noun) grasshopper

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 马 represents the sound. Simplified form of 螞.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 马

About

蚂 is a phonosemantic compound used exclusively in the names of insects and small invertebrates. The left-side 虫 radical classifies the character within the biological realm of insects, bugs, and reptiles. The right-side component 马 (horse) functions purely as a phonetic marker, its original meaning not contributing. 蚂 is the simplified form of 螞, where the phonetic is the traditional 馬. The character is bound: it cannot stand alone and always pairs with another character to form a noun. The most familiar compounds are 蚂蚁 (ant), 蚂蚱 (grasshopper), and 蚂蟥 (leech).

Example Sentences Hide

地上有很多蚂蚁。

Dì shàng yǒu hěn duō mǎyǐ.

There are many ants on the ground.

蚂蚁在搬食物。

Mǎyǐ zài bān shíwù.

The ants are moving food.

小心别踩到蚂蚁。

Xiǎoxīn bié cǎi dào mǎyǐ.

Be careful not to step on the ants.

草丛里有蚂蚱在跳。

Cǎocóng lǐ yǒu màzha zài tiào.

There are grasshoppers jumping in the grass.

蚂蟥生活在水中。

Mǎhuáng shēnghuó zài shuǐ zhōng.

Leeches live in water.

孩子们在观察蚂蚁搬家。

Háizimen zài guānchá mǎyǐ bānjiā.

The children are observing the ants moving their nest.

下雨前，蚂蚱总是跳得很高。

Xià yǔ qián, màzha zǒngshì tiào de hěn gāo.

Before it rains, grasshoppers always jump very high.

为了防止蚂蟥叮咬，他穿了长裤。

Wèile fángzhǐ mǎhuáng dīngyǎo, tā chuān le chángkù.

To prevent leech bites, he wore long pants.

Related Characters

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛋 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁

Component: 马

吗 验 妈 玛 驻 码 骑 骂 骗 驱 驶 驾 腾 冯

Example Words

蚂蚁 蚂蚱 蚂蜂 蚂蟥 蚂蚁窝