蜷

quán
卷 + 虫

Definitions

quán to curl up (like a scroll); to huddle; Melania libertina; wriggle (as a worm)

Etymology

To curl up 卷 like a worm 虫; 卷 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 蜷 is composed of the radical 虫 'worm' on the left, representing small creatures, and the component 卷 'to curl' on the right, which also supplies the pronunciation. It first denoted a worm or caterpillar coiling itself into a tight loop. Over time, the meaning extended to any animal or human curling up by drawing the limbs close, typically as a response to cold, fear, pain, or simply to achieve a comfortable resting position, thereby moving from entomology to broader physiology.

Example Sentences Hide

小猫蜷缩在沙发上。

Xiǎo māo quánsuō zài shāfā shàng.

The kitten curls up on the sofa.

虫子蜷曲在叶子上。

Chóngzi quánqū zài yèzi shàng.

The insect coils on the leaf.

他冷得蜷起身子。

Tā lěng de quán qǐ shēnzi.

He is so cold that he curls up his body.

蛇蜷伏在草丛中。

Shé quánfú zài cǎocóng zhōng.

The snake lies coiled in the grass.

婴儿蜷着腿睡觉。

Yīng'ér quán zhe tuǐ shuìjiào.

The baby sleeps with its legs curled.

老人蜷在椅子里看书。

Lǎorén quán zài yǐzi lǐ kànshū.

The old man curls up in the chair reading a book.

在寒冷的夜晚，我蜷缩在厚厚的被子里。

Zài hánlěng de yèwǎn, wǒ quánsuō zài hòuhòu de bèizi lǐ.

On cold nights, I curl up under thick blankets.

那条受伤的狗蜷缩在角落，一动不动。

Nà tiáo shòushāng de gǒu quánsuō zài jiǎoluò, yīdòng bùdòng.

The injured dog curls up in the corner, not moving at all.

Related Characters

Component: 卷

圈 倦 绻 鬈 锩 踡 睠 錈 勌 惓 捲 棬 綣

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛋 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁

Example Words

蜷缩 蜷曲 蜷伏