caam4 cung4蠶蟲蚕虫
Jyutpingcaam4 cung4
Yalechàahm chùhng
Definition
Silkworm; the larva of the silkworm moth and the primary source of silk.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
Beyond its literal meaning, the term is frequently used in the idiom 蠶蟲師爺 to describe someone who is overly pedantic or complicates simple matters. It carries a slightly derogatory tone when applied to people, implying that the person is trapped in their own narrow logic or self-created mess.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Have you ever seen a silkworm turn into a moth?
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 蟲, which is a general term for insects or worms. Using 蠶蟲 to refer to any random bug is incorrect, as it specifically refers to the larva of the silkworm moth.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
