蟒 meaning and stroke order
Python, boa constrictor
How to write 蟒, stroke by stroke
16 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 蟒
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- python
How 蟒 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Insect.
虫 gives the meaning and 莽 hints at the sound.
Radical: 虫 (insect), shared by 197 characters on this site.
How to remember 蟒
The left side 虫 marks creatures like insects and snakes, and the right side 莽 (mǎng) gives the sound. Picture a huge snake 虫 hiding in thick, wild grass 莽 waiting to wrap around its prey.
蟒 (mǎng) rarely stands alone in everyday speech. It usually appears in the word 蟒蛇 (mǎngshé), the normal way to say python or boa. Example: 动物园里有一条大蟒蛇。(Dòngwùyuán li yǒu yì tiáo dà mǎngshé.) There is a big python at the zoo.
Common mistake: Learners often write the right side as 奔 or mix up the bottom of 莽, which is 廾 under 犬, so check that the middle part is 犬 with its dot. Also keep the third tone in mǎng and do not confuse it with 忙 (máng, busy).
Common words with 蟒
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 蟒蛇 | mǎngshé | python; boa |
Questions about 蟒
How many strokes are in 蟒?
蟒 is written with 16 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 蟒 mean?
蟒 (mǎng) means python, boa constrictor. A common word with it is 蟒蛇 (mǎngshé), meaning "python; boa".
How do you pronounce 蟒?
蟒 is pronounced mǎng, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 蟒?
The radical of 蟒 is 虫, which carries the idea of "insect". Dictionaries list 蟒 under this radical.
What measure word is used for 蟒蛇?
Use 条 (tiáo), the measure word for long, thin things. For example, 一条蟒蛇 (yì tiáo mǎngshé) means one python.
Is 蟒 different from 蛇 (shé)?
蛇 (shé) is the general word for any snake. 蟒 refers specifically to large constricting snakes like pythons and boas, so every 蟒蛇 is a 蛇, but not every 蛇 is a 蟒蛇.