螯 (áo) - Chela or pincer — the large grasping claw & also refers to the sting of a scorpion.

螯Tone 2

áo ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

安傲

螯 · áo

Chela or pincer — the large grasping claw of crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters;

also refers to the sting of a scorpion.

Chela or pincer — the large grasping clawalso refers to the sting of a scorpion.

Usage highlights

Crab pincersLobster clawsScorpion stingGiant pincerIron pincerPincer movement

Synonyms

  • 钳— pincer, pliers
  • 螫— sting (of insects)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The crab's pincers (蟹螯) are used for defense and feeding.
  • Lobsters have powerful claws (龙虾螯).
  • The scorpion's sting (蝎螯) is venomous.
  • He was pinched by the crab's chelae (被蟹螯夹住).

Collocations

  • Crab pincers(蟹螯)
  • Lobster claws(龙虾螯)
  • Scorpion sting(蝎螯)
  • Giant pincer(巨螯)
  • Iron pincer(铁螯)
  • Pincer movement(螯合)

Idioms

  • Hold the crab's pincers and sip wine(持螯把酒)
  • The crab's pincers are like halberds(蟹螯如戟)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, crab pincers (蟹螯) are associated with autumn feasting and scholarly enjoyment.
  • The character appears in classical poetry depicting leisurely enjoyment of crab meat with wine.
  • The radical 虫 indicates its connection to insects and arthropods.

FAQ