How to Write 蝌 (kē) — Meaning “Tadpole (character component)”

Imagine a tadpole (虫) swimming in a pond while studying a science textbook (科), because 蝌 sounds like "科" (science). This visual links the creature with learning, reminding you that tadpoles grow into frogs through a scientific process.

The left radical 虫 should be written narrow and tall, while the right part 科 takes about two-thirds of the width. Be careful with the stroke order of 科: first write 禾 (7 strokes) then 斗 (4 strokes), and keep the bottom of 斗 aligned with the bottom of 禾 to maintain balance.

All three share the 虫 radical, but the right parts differ. 蝌 uses 科 and specifically means tadpole, while 蛵 (虫+巠) refers to a type of insect like a cricket, and 蛸 (虫+肖) can mean spider or octopus. Visually, 蝌 has more strokes on the right and is the only one related to frogs.

蝌 almost always appears in the word 蝌蚪 (tadpole) or phrases like 小蝌蚪 (small tadpole) and 捉蝌蚪 (to catch tadpoles). It is not used alone. Culturally, tadpoles appear in the famous children's story "小蝌蚪找妈妈" (Little Tadpoles Looking for Their Mother), which teaches about growth and family.

Common words containing 蝌 include: 蝌蚪 (kē dǒu) — Tadpole; 小蝌蚪 (xiǎo kē dǒu) — Small tadpole; 捉蝌蚪 (zhuō kē dǒu) — to catch tadpoles.