Definitions

é (bound form) moth

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 蛾, meaning moth, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the insect radical 虫 conveying its semantic category and the component 我 serving as a phonetic indicator based on historical pronunciation. Its etymology connects it to terms for moths, and while it occasionally referred to insect larvae in early texts, its meaning gradually specialized to denote moths specifically. The character's form has consistently incorporated these components, and its application extended to derived terms like 蛾眉, which borrows the moth's antennae shape for descriptive use.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

灯下有一只飞

Dēng xià yǒu yī zhǐ fē'é。

There is a moth under the lamp.

在扑火。

Fēi'é zài pū huǒ。

The moth is flying into the fire.

一只飞绕着灯光飞。

Yī zhǐ fē'é rào zhe dēngguāng fēi。

A moth is flying around the light.

窗玻璃上停着一只灰

Chuāng bōli shàng tíng zhe yī zhǐ huī 'é。

A gray moth is resting on the windowpane.

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.