蚂 (mǎ) - ant & used in names for insects like ants and

蚂Tone 3

mǎ ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

蚂 · mǎ

ant;

used in names for insects like ants and leeches

antused in names for insects like ants and

Usage highlights

antgrasshopperleechant nestant colonyred ant

Synonyms

  • 蚁— ant (more formal term)
  • 昆虫— insect (general term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There are many ants (蚂蚁) in the garden.
  • The child was watching ants (蚂蚁) carry food.
  • Leeches (蚂蟥) can be found in rice paddies.
  • The locust (蚂蚱) jumped across the field.

Collocations

  • ant(蚂蚁)
  • grasshopper(蚂蚱)
  • leech(蚂蟥)
  • ant nest(蚂蚁窝)
  • ant colony(蚂蚁群)
  • red ant(红蚂蚁)

Idioms

  • Like an ant on a hot pan(热锅上的蚂蚁)
  • Ants moving house(蚂蚁搬家)
  • Ants climbing a tree(蚂蚁上树)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 蚂蚁 (ants) are often used in Chinese culture to symbolize diligence, teamwork, and perseverance.
  • The character 蚂 is primarily used in compound words for insects and rarely appears alone.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, certain insects like leeches (蚂蟥) have been used for medicinal purposes.

FAQ