螳 (táng) - Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects & used in compound words related to these insects.

螳Tone 2

táng ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

螳 · táng

Mantis — refers to praying mantis insects;

used in compound words related to these insects.

Mantis — refers to praying mantis insectsused in compound words related to these insects.

Usage highlights

Praying mantisMantis shrimpMantis boxingMantis armMantis catches cicadaMantis egg case

Synonyms

  • 螳螂— praying mantis (full term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A praying mantis is hunting (螳螂在捕食).
  • The mantis stalks its prey (螳螂捕食).
  • We observed a mantis in the garden (花园里的螳螂).
  • The mantis has excellent camouflage (螳螂的伪装).

Collocations

  • Praying mantis(螳螂)
  • Mantis shrimp(螳螂虾)
  • Mantis boxing(螳螂拳)
  • Mantis arm(螳臂)
  • Mantis catches cicada(螳螂捕蝉)
  • Mantis egg case(螳螂卵)

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 boxing style(螳螂拳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The mantis appears in Chinese idioms and martial arts, notably in 'mantis boxing' (螳螂拳).
  • In traditional stories, the mantis is often portrayed as brave but overestimating its strength.
  • The idiom 'mantis stalks cicada' warns against focusing on immediate gain while ignoring greater danger.

FAQ