蛍 (yíng) - Firefly & a type of luminous insect

蛍Tone 2

yíng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

樱咏

蛍 · yíng

Firefly;

a type of luminous insect;

also refers to light or glow.

Fireflya type of luminous insectalso refers to light or glow.

Usage highlights

Firefly lightFirefly viewingFirefly's glowFirefly larvaGlowwormSummer fireflies

Synonyms

  • 螢— Traditional form of firefly
  • 蛍火— Firefly light

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Fireflies glow in the dark (蛍火).
  • We caught fireflies in a jar (蛍を捕まえる).
  • The firefly's light is enchanting (蛍の光).
  • A firefly-viewing event (蛍狩り).

Collocations

  • Firefly light(蛍火)
  • Firefly viewing(蛍狩り)
  • Firefly's glow(蛍の光)
  • Firefly larva(蛍の幼虫)
  • Glowworm(蛍)
  • Summer fireflies(夏の蛍)

Idioms

  • The firefly's light and snow's reflection(蛍雪の功)
  • Gathering fireflies for light(蛍を集めて光とす)
  • Firefly and snow(蛍雪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Japanese culture, fireflies (蛍) are strongly associated with summer and are celebrated in festivals (蛍狩り).
  • The character 蛍 appears in the idiom 蛍雪の功, referring to studying diligently by the light of fireflies or snow.
  • Fireflies symbolize transient beauty and the soul in some East Asian folklore.

FAQ