虫子
chóng zi · HSK 4
insect
🐛 虫子 = insect/worm (虫) + noun suffix (子)
虫 is the general character for bugs, worms, and small creepy-crawlies. Adding the noun suffix 子 (zi) turns it into the everyday word for a bug or worm, like how 桌子 means table.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.