蚊子
wénzi
The Chinese word for mosquito is 蚊子 (wénzi).
蚊子 is a noun used to refer to the small flying insect of the family Culicidae. When describing the action of a mosquito, the verb 叮 (dīng) is the most natural way to say it bit or stung your skin. While you can also use the verb 咬 (yǎo) to mean bite, this is a more general term that often implies a more forceful biting action.
Meaning: small flying insect of the family Culicidae, known for biting and sucking blood (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Cantonese dialect spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, mosquitoes are referred to as 蚊 or 蚊仔.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting mosquitoes, use the measure word 只 (zhī). For example, one mosquito is 一只蚊子.
How do you pronounce it?
wénzi
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the 'mosquito coil' 蚊香 is literally named 'mosquito incense', mirroring the way traditional incense is burned in temples.
- If a mosquito's bite results in a raised, red bump, a Chinese speaker will refer to it as a 蚊子包 (wénzi bāo), using the word for 'package' or 'bundle' to describe the welt.
- The phrase 'mosquito' is often grouped with other 'insect' words that share the 虫 radical, which historically included snakes and worms before modern biology.
Examples in context
- 我被蚊子叮了。I was bitten by a mosquito.This sentence shows how to say you were bitten by a 蚊子.Tatoeba #4760169 by ryanwoo, translation #4794027 by NatsuDonkey
- 我刚刚被蚊子咬了。I just got bitten by a mosquito.This sentence is useful for saying you were just bitten by a 蚊子.Tatoeba #4762200 by billt_estates, translation #2362201 by CK
- 明尼苏达州的官方鸟就是蚊子。Minnesota's state bird is the mosquito.This sentence uses 蚊子 to state that the mosquito is the state bird of Minnesota.Tatoeba #418528 by GlossaMatik, translation #418525 by CM
- 我昨晚被一只蚊子咬了。I was bitten by a mosquito last night.
- 烦死了，屋里有只蚊子嗡嗡叫。I'm so annoyed, there's a mosquito buzzing in the room.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are sitting in a park at dusk.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这里有很多蚊子。zhèlǐ yǒu hěnduō wénzi.There are many mosquitoes here.
- 浩然 Haoran我好像被蚊子咬了。wǒ hǎoxiàng bèi wénzi yǎo le.I think I was bitten by a mosquito.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的胳膊上有个红包。nǐ de gēbo shàng yǒu gè hóngbāo.There is a red bump on your arm.
- 浩然 Haoran那一定是蚊子干的。nà yīdìng shì wénzi gàn de.That must have been caused by a mosquito.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mosquito” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
