螂 (láng) - Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects & also appears in the name for cockroach.

螂Tone 2

láng ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

螂 · láng

Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects;

also appears in the name for cockroach.

Mantis — refers to praying mantis insectsalso appears in the name for cockroach.

Usage highlights

Praying mantisCockroachMantis shrimpMantis egg caseMantisCockroach killer

Synonyms

  • 螳螂— Praying mantis (specific insect)
  • 蟑螂— Cockroach (specific insect)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The praying mantis is a predatory insect (螳螂).
  • Cockroaches are common household pests (蟑螂).
  • The mantis stalks its prey (螳螂捕食).
  • There is a mantis on the leaf (叶子上的螳螂).

Collocations

  • Praying mantis(螳螂)
  • Cockroach(蟑螂)
  • Mantis shrimp(虾蛄, though not directly 螂)
  • Mantis egg case(螳螂卵)
  • Mantis-like(似螳螂的)
  • Cockroach killer(杀蟑螂剂)

Idioms

  • The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind(螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后)
  • A mantis trying to stop a chariot(螳臂当车)
  • Mantis fist (a martial arts style)(螳螂拳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The praying mantis appears in Chinese idioms and martial arts, symbolizing both focus and overconfidence.
  • In Chinese folklore, the mantis is often depicted as a brave but sometimes overestimating creature.
  • The character 螂 is almost exclusively used in compound words for specific insects, rarely standing alone.

FAQ