螳螂
tángláng
The English phrase "praying mantis" is translated into Chinese as 螳螂 (tángláng). Wiktionary also lists 刀螂 (dāolang).
Meaning: any of various predatory insects of the Mantidae family (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 螳螂 | tángláng |
| 刀螂 | dāolang |
The term is used to refer to any of the various predatory insects within the Mantidae family.
What does it mean word for word?
The standard term 螳螂 (tángláng) literally means praying mantis.
Which one should you use?
While 螳螂 is the standard term for any praying mantis, 刀螂 (dāoláng) refers to a specific type of mantis, often used to describe species with legs that look more like blades (literally "knife mantis").
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tángláng.
Did you know?
- In certain Chinese martial arts contexts, the movements of the mantis are studied, leading to styles named after the insect's striking-like movements.
- In Chinese culture, the mantis is often associated with the 'mantis trying to stop a chariot' 螳螂擋車, a metaphor for someone who attempts a task that is far beyond their capabilities.
- While English calls the insect a 'praying' mantis due to its posture, the Chinese term 螳螂 focuses on the animal itself without any reference to prayer or religion.
Examples in context
- 树叶上有一只螳螂。Shùyè shàng yǒu yī zhǐ tángláng.There is a praying mantis on the leaf.
- 那只螳螂看起来很凶。Nà zhǐ tángláng kàn qǐlái hěn xiōng.That praying mantis looks very fierce.
- 我看到一只绿色的螳螂。Wǒ kàndào yī zhǐ lǜsè de tángláng.I saw a green praying mantis.
Example conversation
The two are walking in a garden and spot an insect.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，快看，那是一只螳螂！Jiāyí, kuài kàn, nà shì yī zhǐ tángláng!Jiayi, look, that is a praying mantis!
- 佳怡 Jiayi真的吗？它在哪里？Zhēn de ma? Tā zài nǎlǐ?Really? Where is it?
- 志强 Zhiqiang就在那朵花旁边。Jiù zài nà duǒ huā pángbiān.Right beside that flower.
- 佳怡 Jiayi哇，它好大啊。Wa, tā hǎo dà a.Wow, it is so big.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “praying mantis” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
