蚕 (cán) - silkworm — the larva of the domesticated silkmoth & also refers to silk production and sericulture.

蚕Tone 2

cán ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

蚕 · cán

silkworm — the larva of the domesticated silkmoth (Bombyx mori), which produces silk;

also refers to silk production and sericulture.

silkworm — the larva of the domesticated silkmothalso refers to silk production and sericulture.

Usage highlights

silkwormsilkworm cocoonsilkworm breedingsilkworm eggssilkworm chrysalissilkworm disease

Synonyms

  • 桑蚕— mulberry silkworm (most common type)
  • 家蚕— domesticated silkworm

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Silkworms spin cocoons (蚕吐丝).
  • Sericulture is an ancient industry (养蚕业).
  • Silk fabric comes from silkworm cocoons (蚕丝 fabric).
  • Mulberry leaves are food for silkworms (桑叶喂蚕).

Collocations

  • silkworm(蚕)
  • silkworm cocoon(蚕茧)
  • silkworm breeding(养蚕)
  • silkworm eggs(蚕卵)
  • silkworm chrysalis(蚕蛹)
  • silkworm disease(蚕病)

Idioms

  • Spring silkworms spin silk until death(春蚕到死丝方尽)
  • Silkworm spitting silk — self-entanglement(作茧自缚)
  • Silkworms eating mulberry leaves — gradually devour(蚕食鲸吞)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Silkworm cultivation dates back over 5,000 years in China and is credited to the legendary Leizu, wife of the Yellow Emperor.
  • Silk production was a closely guarded state secret in ancient China, with severe penalties for revealing it abroad.
  • The Silk Road was named after China's most famous export, silk, which originated from silkworms.
  • Silkworms symbolize diligence, transformation, and self-sacrifice in Chinese culture.

FAQ