虫
Insect, Bug
| on’yomi | kun’yomi | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| n/i | むし | 虫 |
Meaning: Insect
The insect radical and insect are the same in looks as well as and meaning.
It’s times like these when you gotta hope you’re studying your radicals!
Reading: n/i
On’yomi reading isn’t important enough for you to learn, but the kun’yomi is, so go take a look at that.
Vocabulary
Learn the meanings of these words before moving on (and their readings too, if you don’t mind).
a 虫（むし）＝ Bug, Insect
- Meaning: The meaning is the same as the kanji.
- Reading: The kun’yomi reading. It’s an insect! Get it! You squish it with your foot – what sound does it make? A mush (むし) sound. Imagine little words that say “mush” flying out from under your foot as you mush the poor thing. What does a “mush” sound sound like? You’ll have to come up with something unique to yourself, and focus on it to remember this reading.
a 毛虫（けむし）＝ Caterpillar
- Combo: 毛 (fur) + 虫 (bug)
- Meaning: Caterpillars are bugs with fur all over them, right? More so than other furry bugs, I’d say.
- Reading: The kun’yomi readings of both kanji. 毛 is like a body part, which is sort of a hint that it’s going to use the kun’yomi reading.