苍蝇

• 拼音: cāng ying
• 汉字拆解: 苍 = 艹 (grass) + 仓 (phonetic); 蝇 = 虫 (insect) + 黾 (phonetic)

含义

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.

例句

1. 厨房窗户没关紧，飞进来好几只苍蝇。
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。
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。

用法指南

语境: everyday, hygiene, politics, anti-corruption

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal