蜗 (wō) - Snail & refers to gastropod mollusks, particularly land snails. Used

蜗Tone 1

wō ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

蜗 · wō

Snail;

refers to gastropod mollusks, particularly land snails.

Used metaphorically to describe slowness or small, humble dwellings.

Snailrefers to gastropod mollusks, particularly land snails. Used

Usage highlights

SnailSnail's dwelling; humble abodeSnail shellSnail's paceSnail antennaSnail slime

Synonyms

  • 螺— Spiral shell; conch

Antonyms

  • 兔— Rabbit (as in the fable of the rabbit and the snail, symbolizing speed)
  • 快— Fast; quick

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The snail (蜗牛) moves very slowly.
  • They live in a tiny apartment, a snail's home (蜗居).
  • The snail's antennae (蜗牛触角) are sensitive.
  • A snail leaves a trail of slime (蜗牛黏液).

Collocations

  • Snail(蜗牛)
  • Snail's dwelling; humble abode(蜗居)
  • Snail shell(蜗壳)
  • Snail's pace(蜗行牛步)
  • Snail antenna(蜗牛触角)
  • Snail slime(蜗牛黏液)

Idioms

  • Moving at a snail's pace(蜗行牛步)
  • A snail's horn; something extremely small or insignificant(蜗角虚名)
  • A snail's corner; a very narrow space(蜗角之地)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the snail is a symbol of slowness, patience, and humility.
  • The term '蜗居' (wō jū) is a modern idiom describing a very small living space, reflecting urban housing challenges.
  • The snail's spiral shell is sometimes associated with self-containment and carrying one's home.

FAQ