蛇 (shé) - Snake — a legless, elongated reptile & also used metaphorically for something treacherous or cunning.

蛇Tone 2

shé ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

蛇 · shé

Snake — a legless, elongated reptile;

also used metaphorically for something treacherous or cunning.

Snake — a legless, elongated reptilealso used metaphorically for something treacherous or cunning.

Usage highlights

Poisonous snakePythonSnake charmerSnake skinSnake yearSnake

Synonyms

  • 蟒— python/boa (large snake)
  • 蚺— anaconda (large constrictor)

Antonyms

  • 龙— dragon (mythical, powerful vs. earthly snake)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I saw a snake in the grass (蛇在草丛中).
  • Some snakes are venomous (毒蛇).
  • She has a snake-like bracelet (蛇形手镯).
  • The river snakes through the valley (河流蜿蜒穿过山谷).

Collocations

  • Poisonous snake(毒蛇)
  • Python(蟒蛇)
  • Snake charmer(弄蛇人)
  • Snake skin(蛇皮)
  • Snake year(蛇年)
  • Snake-shaped(蛇形)

Idioms

  • Draw legs on a snake(画蛇添足)
  • A snake in the grass(草中之蛇)
  • Heart of a snake and蝎(蛇蝎心肠)
  • The year of the snake(蛇年)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese zodiac, Snake is the 6th animal, associated with wisdom, intuition, and elegance.
  • Snakes often symbolize danger, deceit, or evil in folklore and idioms.
  • In some contexts, snakes represent regeneration and healing due to shedding skin.

FAQ