毛毛虫 (máomaochóng): caterpillar

Measure Word

一条毛毛虫 tiáo

Shùyè shàng yǒu yī tiáo máomaochóng.

There's a caterpillar on the leaf.

Máomaochóng huì biànchéng húdié.

Caterpillars turn into butterflies.

memory

毛毛 (fuzzy/hairy) + 虫 (insect) — literally 'fuzzy bug.' The reduplication 毛毛 gives it a cute, childlike feel. Kids love this word.

毛 máo

虫 chóng