虫 Bug

Meaning

Primary

Bug

Alternatives

Insect, Creepy Crawly

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. This word is actually more general than the English words insect and bug, though. It covers things like worms and spiders, too, so in that sense it's more like creepy-crawly.

Reading

むし

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun'yomi reading, which is also the reading you learned when you learned this kanji!

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 虫の〜

  虫の目

  a bug's eyes

  虫のエサ

  food for insects

  虫のタマゴ

  bug's eggs

• 虫に〜

  虫にくわれる

  to be bitten by a bug

  虫にかまれる

  to be bitten by a bug, to be stung by a bug

  虫にさされる

  to be bitten by a bug, to be stung by a bug

• 虫が〜

  虫がいる

  there are insects

  虫が入る

  an insect enters

• 虫〜

  虫とり

  bug catching

  虫だらけ

  full of bugs

  虫たち

  bugs

• 虫を〜

  虫をつかまえる

  to catch bugs

  虫を見つける

  to find a bug

  虫をたべる

  to eat bugs

Context Sentences

あ、虫がいる！

Oh, there's a bug!

あの虫、口から白い糸をはいているよ！

That insect is spinning white thread from its mouth.

とても大人しい虫だけど、ペットにはできないよ。

It's a pretty obedient insect, but you can't have it as a pet.

Kanji Composition

1. 虫

   むし Insect