About
The character 蛆 uses the semantic radical 虫 (chóng), meaning insect or worm, with the phonetic component 且 (qiě) to form a phono-semantic compound. It specifically denotes a maggot, the larva of a fly, found in decaying matter. The insect radical correctly categorizes it within the Chinese system for small creatures. The meaning is precise, referring only to fly larvae without broader metaphorical use, though it can appear in insulting language. Its structure combines biological classification with a sound marker, creating a specialized term used in both scientific and everyday contexts.