Definition
昆虫 (kūnchóng) is the formal, scientific term for 'insect', used in biology and writing. 虫子 (chóngzi) is the everyday, spoken word for any small creepy-crawly, including insects and worms. Use 昆虫 when you need precision or are talking about insects as a category.
noun
insect
Measure word · 只, 群, 堆
Examples
- 昆虫。Wǒ kàn dào yì zhī kūn chóng cóng huā shàng fēi qǐlái.I saw an insect fly up from a flower.
- 昆虫。Yì qún kūn chóng zài cǎodì shàng fēi lái fēi qù.A group of insects is flying around on the grass.
- 昆虫。Dì shàng yǒu yì duī kūn chóng.There is a pile of insects on the ground.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.