蛾

我 + 虫

Definitions

é (bound form) moth

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 我 represents the sound.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 我

About

蛾 is a phonosemantic compound: the insect radical 虫 on the left identifies it as a kind of insect, while the phonetic component 我 on the right indicates its pronunciation. It refers to the moth, a nocturnal insect closely related to butterflies, notorious for its instinct to fly into open flames and bright light sources. This fatal attraction has given rise to idioms and literary metaphors where the moth darting into fire symbolizes self-destructive behavior, a fatal romantic infatuation, or the courageous sacrifice of one's life for a higher cause.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

灯下有一只飞蛾。

Dēng xià yǒu yī zhǐ fē'é。

There is a moth under the lamp.

飞蛾在扑火。

Fēi'é zài pū huǒ。

The moth is flying into the fire.

一只飞蛾绕着灯光飞。

Yī zhǐ fē'é rào zhe dēngguāng fēi。

A moth is flying around the light.

窗玻璃上停着一只灰蛾。

Chuāng bōli shàng tíng zhe yī zhǐ huī 'é。

A gray moth is resting on the windowpane.

飞蛾的幼虫以植物叶片为食。

Fēi'é de yòuchóng yǐ zhíwù yèpiàn wéi shí。

The larvae of moths feed on plant leaves。

研究飞蛾的专家来到了森林。

Yánjiū fēi'é de zhuānjiā lái dào le sēnlín。

An expert who studies moths has come to the forest.

这只珍稀的蛾类翅膀上有独特的花纹。

Zhè zhǐ zhēnxī de è lèi chìbǎng shàng yǒu dútè de huāwén。

This rare species of moth has unique patterns on its wings.

通过显微镜观察飞蛾鳞片的构造非常有趣。

Tōngguò xiǎnwēijìng guānchá fēi'é línpiàn de gòuzào fēicháng yǒuqù。

It is very interesting to observe the structure of a moth's scales through a microscope.

Related Characters

Component: 我

Component: 虫

蛾