Definitions

tuì skin cast off during molting; exuvia; to pupate; to molt; to slough; to cast off an old skin or shell

Etymology

An insect  changing  its skin;  also provides the pronunciation

About

The phono-semantic compound 蜕 is built on the insect radical 虫, indicating it relates to creeping creatures like insects or reptiles. Its traditional form 蛻 uses 兌 as the phonetic component for pronunciation; the simplified form 蜕 retains the same phonetic function with the component 兑. The character fundamentally means the biological process of molting, shedding skin or an exoskeleton, and also serves as a noun for the cast-off skin itself, as seen in a snake's shed or a cicada's shell. Metaphorically, it expanded to describe a profound transformation or a person shedding their former self to emerge anew.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

这条蛇正在皮。

Zhè tiáo shé zhèngzài tuì pí.

This snake is shedding its skin.

幼虫变成蝴蝶。

Yòuchóng tuìbiàn chéng húdié.

The larva transforms into a butterfly.

是一种中药材。

Chántuì shì yī zhǒng zhōngyàocái.

Cicada slough is a type of traditional Chinese medicine.

皮是成长的过程。

Tuì pí shì chéngzhǎng de guòchéng.

Shedding skin is a process of growth.

每次皮都意味着新生。

Měi cì tuì pí dōu yìwèizhe xīnshēng.

Each shedding of skin signifies rebirth.

他经历了人生的变。

Tā jīnglìle rénshēng de tuìbiàn.

He experienced a transformation in life.

公司正在经历变阶段。

Gōngsī zhèngzài jīnglì tuìbiàn jiēduàn.

The company is going through a transformation phase.

化变质是危险的。

Tuìhuà biànzhì shì wēixiǎn de.

Degeneration is dangerous.