蝦 (xiā) - Shrimp & prawn

蝦Tone 1

xiā ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

蝦 · xiā

Shrimp;

prawn;

lobster;

small crustaceans with long antennae and a slender body, typically living in water.

Shrimpprawnlobster

Usage highlights

ShrimpLobsterPrawnShrimp meatShrimp pasteDried shrimp

Synonyms

  • 虾仁— Shelled shrimp meat
  • 对虾— Prawn (larger variety)

Antonyms

  • 龙— Dragon (representing large, powerful creature vs. small shrimp)
  • 鲸— Whale (massive marine animal vs. tiny shrimp)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We ordered steamed shrimp (蒸虾) for dinner.
  • Lobster is expensive seafood (龙虾).
  • He is allergic to prawns (对虾过敏).
  • The aquarium has many small shrimp (小虾).

Collocations

  • Shrimp(虾)
  • Lobster(龙虾)
  • Prawn(对虾)
  • Shrimp meat(虾仁)
  • Shrimp paste(虾酱)
  • Dried shrimp(虾米)

Idioms

  • Shrimp soldiers and crab generals (虾兵蟹将) — incompetent troops or followers
  • A shrimp in a dry rut (涸辙之鲋) — someone in desperate straits(though the character is 鲋, the situation is similar to a shrimp out of water)
  • Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp (大鱼吃小鱼，小鱼吃虾米) — the strong prey on the weak

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese cuisine, shrimp symbolize happiness and good fortune, often served at festive occasions.
  • In folklore, shrimp are depicted as soldiers in the Dragon King's underwater army (虾兵蟹将).
  • Shrimp represent something small or insignificant in idioms, contrasting with larger creatures.

FAQ