蛹 (yǒng) - Pupa — the intermediate stage in the life

蛹Tone 3

yǒng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

蛹 · yǒng

Pupa — the intermediate stage in the life cycle of insects between larva and adult, during which the insect is enclosed in a cocoon or chrysalis.

Pupa — the intermediate stage in the life

Usage highlights

Silkworm pupaButterfly chrysalisPupal stagePupationPupal shellOverwintering pupa

Synonyms

  • 茧— cocoon (the protective case, not the life stage itself)

Antonyms

  • 幼虫— larva (the stage before pupa)
  • 成虫— adult insect (the stage after pupa)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The caterpillar transformed into a pupa (蛹).
  • Butterflies emerge from the chrysalis (蝶蛹).
  • The silkworm pupa is edible (蚕蛹).
  • The pupal stage is a period of metamorphosis (蛹期).

Collocations

  • Silkworm pupa(蚕蛹)
  • Butterfly chrysalis(蝶蛹)
  • Pupal stage(蛹期)
  • Pupation(化蛹)
  • Pupal shell(蛹壳)
  • Overwintering pupa(越冬蛹)

Idioms

  • To break out of the cocoon and become a butterfly(破蛹成蝶)
  • Transformation from pupa to butterfly(蛹化成蝶)
  • The silkworm spins a cocoon and becomes a pupa(作茧自缚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the pupa symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and potential, often used metaphorically for personal growth.
  • Silkworm pupae (蚕蛹) are a traditional food source in some regions of China, valued for their high protein content.
  • The character 蛹 appears in literary works and idioms to represent hidden potential awaiting realization.

FAQ