蜩 (tiáo) - Cicada — refers to the insect cicada, known & also appears in classical Chinese literature.

蜩Tone 2

tiáo ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

蜩 · tiáo

Cicada — refers to the insect cicada, known for its loud buzzing sound in summer;

also appears in classical Chinese literature.

Cicada — refers to the insect cicada, knownalso appears in classical Chinese literature.

Usage highlights

Cicada chirpingCicada moltingCicada wingsCicada in summerCicada's cryCicada shell

Synonyms

  • 蝉— cicada (more common term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cicada's chirping signals summer (蜩鸣).
  • Cicada molting is a natural phenomenon (蜩蜕).
  • Ancient texts mention the cicada's song (蜩声).
  • Cicadas are often depicted in Chinese art (蜩画).

Collocations

  • Cicada chirping(蜩鸣)
  • Cicada molting(蜩蜕)
  • Cicada wings(蜩翼)
  • Cicada in summer(夏蜩)
  • Cicada's cry(蜩号)
  • Cicada shell(蜩甲)

Idioms

  • Like a cicada shedding its skin(蜩蜕)
  • The cicada and the mantis(蜩螗)
  • Cicada's thin wings(蜩翼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, cicadas symbolize rebirth and immortality due to their life cycle of molting.
  • Cicadas appear in classical poetry, often representing summer, transience, or scholarly seclusion.
  • Ancient jade cicadas were placed in mouths of the deceased to ensure rebirth.

FAQ