Definition
This word is used metaphorically in Chinese to describe people or things of the lowest status or importance — 'nobodies'. The literal meaning is two kinds of insects (mole crickets and ants), but you will almost always encounter it in figurative, often literary, expressions. For example, the proverb 蝼蚁尚且贪生 ('Even the lowly ant wants to cling to life') urges compassion for all life, no matter how humble. At HSK 7, recognizing the figurative layer is key to reading classical or philosophical texts.
n.
nobodiesinsignificant people or thingsmole crickets and ants (literal meaning)
Examples
- ，蝼蚁。Zài lìshǐ de hóngliú zhōng, lóu yǐ de mìngyùn wēi bù zú dào.In the torrent of history, the fate of nobodies is insignificant.
- 蝼蚁，？lóu yǐ shàngqiě tān shēng, hékuàng rén ne?Even the lowly ant clings to life, let alone humans?
- ，蝼蚁。Tā zì shì wéi yīngxióng, dàn zài duìshǒu yǎnzhōng búguò shì yí gè lóu yǐ.He sees himself as a hero, but in his opponent's eyes he is just a nobody.
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