茧 (jiǎn) - cocoon — the silky protective case spun by & also refers to calluses on hands or feet.

茧Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

茧 · jiǎn

cocoon — the silky protective case spun by silkworms and other insect larvae;

also refers to calluses on hands or feet.

cocoon — the silky protective case spun byalso refers to calluses on hands or feet.

Usage highlights

silkworm cocooncocoon silkcocoon breakinghand callusfoot calluscocoon formation

Synonyms

  • 蚕茧— silkworm cocoon
  • 茧子— callus; cocoon (colloquial)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Silkworms spin cocoons (蚕茧).
  • Hard work causes calluses on hands (手上有茧).
  • The silkworm emerges from its cocoon (破茧而出).
  • Silk is produced from cocoons (茧丝).

Collocations

  • silkworm cocoon(蚕茧)
  • cocoon silk(茧丝)
  • cocoon breaking(破茧)
  • hand callus(手茧)
  • foot callus(脚茧)
  • cocoon formation(作茧)

Idioms

  • Spin a cocoon around oneself(作茧自缚)
  • Break through the cocoon and become a butterfly(破茧成蝶)
  • Cocoon silk extraction(抽丝剥茧)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically significant in Chinese culture due to sericulture (silk production), dating back thousands of years.
  • Metaphorically used to describe self-imposed difficulties or confinement (作茧自缚).
  • Symbolizes transformation and rebirth, as in breaking from a cocoon to become a butterfly (破茧成蝶).

FAQ