苍蝇

• Pinyin: cāng ying
• Hanzi breakdown: 苍 = 艹 (grass) + 仓 (phonetic); 蝇 = 虫 (insect) + 黾 (phonetic)

Meaning

Housefly. Also used metaphorically for petty corrupt officials.

In everyday speech, 苍蝇 simply means a fly. In anti-corruption discourse, the government uses the phrase 打老虎拍苍蝇 where 苍蝇 refers to low-level corrupt officials.

Examples

1. 厨房窗户没关紧，飞进来好几只苍蝇。 The kitchen window was not shut properly, and several flies got in.
2. 盛夏时节食物容易变质，苍蝇也特别多，一定要注意饮食卫生。 Food spoils easily in midsummer and flies are everywhere — you really have to watch food hygiene.
3. 反腐运动不仅要打老虎，也要拍苍蝇，无论职位高低都不能例外。 The anti-corruption drive must not only hunt tigers but also swat flies; no one is exempt regardless of rank.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, hygiene, politics, anti-corruption

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这家餐馆苍蝇乱飞，卫生条件实在堪忧。(Flies are buzzing all over this restaurant — the hygiene conditions are truly worrying.)
• 纪检部门同样要严查基层的苍蝇式腐败。(The discipline inspection authorities must equally investigate fly-level corruption at the grassroots.)

Don't Say

• 他像苍蝇一样努力工作。(苍蝇 carries negative connotations — it is not used to praise diligence; use 蜜蜂 for a hardworking metaphor)

Origin & History

苍 (dark green/grey) + 蝇 (fly). The compound describes the grey-green colour of the common housefly.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal