昆虫

• Pinyin: kūn chóng
• Hanzi breakdown: 昆 = 日 (sun) + 比 (compare) — numerous; 虫 = pictograph of an insect

Meaning

Insect. The class of small invertebrate animals with six legs and typically wings.

The scientific term for insects, used in educational, scientific, and everyday contexts. Covers everything from butterflies and bees to mosquitoes and beetles.

Examples

1. 昆虫是地球上种类最多的动物群体。 Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth.
2. 他从小就喜欢观察各种昆虫。 He has loved observing various insects since childhood.
3. 这种杀虫剂对益虫和害虫都有效，使用时要注意。 This pesticide is effective on both beneficial and harmful insects, so use it carefully.

Usage Guide

Context: biology, nature, science, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 蝴蝶是一种美丽的昆虫。(Butterflies are a beautiful type of insect.)
• 昆虫在生态系统中扮演重要角色。(Insects play an important role in ecosystems.)

Don't Say

• 把蜘蛛或蜈蚣称为昆虫。(Spiders and centipedes are not insects — they have more than 6 legs)

Origin & History

Classical compound where 昆 (numerous/offspring) + 虫 (insect/bug). 昆 originally meant 'together/numerous,' reflecting how insects appear in large numbers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal