繭 (jiǎn) - Cocoon — the silky protective covering spun by & also refers to a state of being wrapped

繭Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

繭 · jiǎn

Cocoon — the silky protective covering spun by silkworms and some insect larvae;

also refers to a state of being wrapped or enclosed.

Cocoon — the silky protective covering spun byalso refers to a state of being wrapped

Usage highlights

Silkworm cocoonCocoon silkBreak out of a cocoonCocoonCocoon extractionCocoon chrysalis

Synonyms

  • 茧— Simplified form of 繭
  • 蚕茧— Silkworm cocoon

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The silkworm spins a cocoon (蚕吐丝作繭).
  • She felt trapped in her own cocoon of thoughts (思想的繭).
  • The cocoon must be boiled to extract silk (煮繭抽丝).
  • Breaking out of one's cocoon is a metaphor for personal transformation (破繭而出).

Collocations

  • Silkworm cocoon(蚕繭)
  • Cocoon silk(繭丝)
  • Break out of a cocoon(破繭)
  • Cocoon-like(繭状)
  • Cocoon extraction(抽繭)
  • Cocoon chrysalis(繭蛹)

Idioms

  • Break out of a cocoon and become a butterfly(破繭成蝶)
  • Cocoon silk ox hair(繭丝牛毛)
  • Bind oneself in a cocoon(作繭自缚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically central to Chinese sericulture (silk production) for thousands of years.
  • The character's structure visually resembles threads (糸) enclosing something, mirroring the concept.
  • The idiom '作繭自缚' (bind oneself in a cocoon) is a common metaphor for creating one's own problems.

FAQ