害虫

• Pinyin: hài chóng
• Hanzi breakdown: 害 = 宀(roof) + 口 (mouth) + 丰 (abundant) — harm under one's roof; 虫 = insect/creature

Meaning

Pest; a harmful insect or creature that damages crops, property, or human health.

Used in agriculture, public health, and environmental management. Includes insects (蚊子 mosquito, 蚜虫 aphid) and invasive species. Metaphorically applied to people regarded as harmful to society: 社会害虫 (social pest — a scoundrel).

Examples

1. 农业部门指导农民合理使用农药，有效控制害虫对粮食作物造成的损害。 The agricultural department guides farmers in using pesticides responsibly to effectively control the damage pests cause to grain crops.
2. 这种入侵物种因天敌极少而迅速蔓延，已成为威胁本地生态系统的主要害虫之一。 Because this invasive species has very few natural predators, it has spread rapidly and has become one of the main pests threatening the local ecosystem.
3. 有关部门加大力度打击制假售假行为，将那些危害社会的害虫绳之以法。 The relevant authorities have stepped up efforts to crack down on counterfeiting and fraud, bringing those social pests to justice.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, public health, environment, metaphor

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 生物防治法利用害虫的天敌来控制虫害，既有效又能减少化学农药对环境的污染。(Biological control methods use natural enemies of pests to manage infestations, which is both effective and reduces chemical pesticide pollution.)
• 仓库中的储粮遭受害虫侵袭，损失惨重，管理部门随即启动了紧急防治预案。(Stored grain in the warehouse was severely damaged by pests, resulting in heavy losses, and management immediately activated an emergency pest control plan.)

Don't Say

• 将所有昆虫称为害虫 — 害虫 only applies to harmful species; beneficial insects like 蜜蜂 (bees) and 蚕 (silkworms) must never be called 害虫

Origin & History

害 (harm, damage) + 虫 (insect, creature) — a creature that causes harm

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal