How to Write 螽 (zhōng) — Meaning “katydid / long-horned grasshopper”

Imagine a katydid with long horn-like antennae that look like the two dots in the top part 冬 (winter), and its body is the insect radical 虫 below. So "winter insect with two antennae" helps you recall the shape and meaning of 螽.

Write the top part 冬 first with four strokes: a left-falling stroke, a horizontal hook, then two dots. Then add the bottom 虫 with six strokes. A common mistake is to confuse the two dots in 冬 with a single dot, so be sure to place both dots clearly.

螽 has the top part 冬 (winter) and means katydid, while 蝌 has the right part 科 (subject) and means tadpole. 蝎 has the right part 曷 and means scorpion. Visually, 螽 is the only one with a two-dot top instead of a complex right side.

螽 is not common in daily conversation and is not in the HSK list. It appears mainly in zoological terms like 螽斯 (katydid) and in classical references, such as the poem "螽斯" from the Book of Songs, which celebrates fertility and many children.

Common words containing 螽 include: 螽斯 (zhōng sī) — katydid / long-horned grasshopper; 鸣螽 (míng zhōng) — Chirping long-horned grasshopper; 捉螽斯 (zhuō zhōng sī) — to catch katydids.