蟆 (má) - Frog & toad

蟆Tone 2

má ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

蟆 · má

Frog;

toad;

specifically refers to the frog in Chinese folklore, often associated with the moon or as a companion to the moon goddess Chang'e.

Frogtoadspecifically refers to the frog in Chinese folklore,

Usage highlights

FrogToadMoon toadFrog croakCatching frogsFrog in the well

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The frog croaked loudly (蛤蟆叫).
  • Children catch frogs in the pond (捉蛤蟆).
  • The moon toad is a mythical creature (月宫蛤蟆).
  • He has a voice like a frog (声音像蛤蟆).

Collocations

  • Frog(蛤蟆)
  • Toad(癞蛤蟆)
  • Moon toad(月宫蛤蟆)
  • Frog croak(蛤蟆叫)
  • Catching frogs(捉蛤蟆)
  • Frog in the well(井底蛤蟆)

Idioms

  • A toad wanting to eat swan flesh(癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉)
  • Frog at the bottom of a well(井底之蛙)
  • Toad on the moon(月宫蛤蟆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese mythology, a three-legged toad lives on the moon with Chang'e, representing yin energy and wealth.
  • The character 蟆 is almost always used in combination with 蛤 (há) as 蛤蟆 (háma) meaning 'frog' or 'toad'.
  • The idiom 'a toad wanting to eat swan flesh' describes unrealistic ambitions or desires beyond one's station.

FAQ