(lóu) - mole cricket & a type of insect

Tone 2

lóu | 15 strokes | radical:

· lóu

mole cricket;

a type of insect;

used metaphorically for something insignificant or lowly.

mole cricketa type of insectused metaphorically for something insignificant or lowly.

Usage highlights

mole cricketants and mole cricketsmole cricket's tunnelmole cricket and antinsignificant as a mole cricket

Synonyms

  • ant (shares the connotation of smallness)
  • insect (broader category)

Antonyms

  • dragon (symbol of power and nobility)
  • tiger (symbol of strength and majesty)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mole cricket (蝼蛄) is an insect that lives underground.
  • He felt as insignificant as an ant (蝼蚁).
  • The ancient text mentions mole crickates and ants (蝼蚁).

Collocations

  • mole cricket(蝼蛄)
  • ants and mole crickets(蝼蚁)
  • mole cricket's tunnel(蝼孔)
  • mole cricket and ant(蝼螘)
  • insignificant as a mole cricket(蝼蚁之辈)

Idioms

  • As insignificant as an ant or mole cricket(蝼蚁之微)
  • The mole cricket seeks to shake a giant tree(蚍蜉蝼蚁撼大树)
  • To regard as mere ants and mole crickets(视如蝼蚁)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese literature, '蝼蚁' (ants and mole crickets) commonly symbolizes the common people or things of little importance.
  • The character appears in philosophical texts like Zhuangzi to represent the perspective of small creatures.
  • Used in historical contexts to describe the expendable nature of soldiers or subjects from a ruler's viewpoint.

FAQ