蛾
é
The Chinese word for moth is 蛾 (é).
蛾 is a noun referring to an insect similar to a butterfly. It is also a core component of the common idiom 飞蛾扑火, which describes a moth flying into a flame. This idiom is used metaphorically to describe someone who recklessly rushes toward danger or destruction.
Meaning: insect similar to a butterfly (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 蛾 refers specifically to moths, the term 蝴蝶 is used for butterflies.
How do you pronounce it?
é
Did you know?
- The term 蛾眉 describes 'moth-ey eyebrows', which is a traditional Chinese poetic compliment for a woman's thin and curved brows.
- While English speakers see moths as pests, the term 蛾 appears in classical Chinese poetry to symbolize a tragic, doomed sort of passion.
- The phonetic part of the word for moth, 我, is the same character used for the English pronoun 'I' or 'me'.
Examples in context
- 这是一只蝴蝶还是一只飞蛾？Is it a butterfly or a moth?This sentence is useful for practicing the distinction between a butterfly and the word 蛾.Tatoeba #1067169 by harry8985, translation #42225 by CK
- 这是一只蛾This is a moth.
- 这件衣服被蛀虫吃了This piece of clothing has been eaten by moths.
- 我家外面经常有飞蛾There are often moths flying outside my house.
- 睇，有隻蛾仔飛過嚟Look, a moth just flew by.
- 那只蛾在飞。Nà zhī é zài fēi.That moth is flying.
- 这种蛾的颜色很深。Zhè zhǒng é de yánsè hěn shēn.The color of this moth is very dark.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a lamp in the garden.
- 佳怡 Jiayi看，灯旁边有一只蛾。Kàn, dēng pángbiān yǒu yì zhī é.Look, there is a moth next to the lamp.
- 伟 Wei哇，这只蛾真大。Wa, zhè zhī é zhēn dà.Wow, this moth is really big.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它好像快要飞走了。Tā hǎoxiàng kuài yào fēi zǒu le.It looks like it's about to fly away.
- 伟 Wei别吓到它。Bié xià dào tā.Don't scare it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moth” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 蛾, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
