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〜

  虫たち

  bugs

  虫だらけ

  full of bugs

  虫とり

  bug catching

• 虫の〜

  虫のタマゴ

  bug's eggs

  虫のエサ

  food for insects

  虫の目

  a bug's eyes

• 虫が〜

  虫が入る

  an insect enters

  虫がいる

  there are insects

• 虫を〜

  虫をたべる

  to eat bugs

  虫を見つける

  to find a bug

  虫をつかまえる

  to catch bugs

• 虫に〜

  虫にさされる

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

  虫にかまれる

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

  虫にくわれる

  to be bitten by a bug

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