害虫 hàichóng injurious insect
injurious insect; pest
How to remember 害虫: 害 injure + 虫 insect = injurious insect.
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How it is used
- A harmful insect / pest - 消灭害虫 (xiāomiè hàichóng) to exterminate pests.
- Its fixed opposite is 益虫 (yìchóng, beneficial insect); the pair sorts bugs by their effect on crops/humans - 蜜蜂是益虫 (mìfēng shì yìchóng) bees are beneficial insects.
- Figuratively labels a harmful person: 社会的害虫 a parasite on society.