虫

In modern usage, it is mainly used as a simplified form or abbreviation of 蟲 (충), which also means “insect,” especially when used as a radical.

It is an ancient form of 虺, which means “poisonous snake” or “small snake” and depicts the head of a large pit viper (살무사) in a pictographic style.

Characters related to animals (mammals, birds, fish, and others) usually contain the 虫 radical.

Its original pronunciation is "훼." However, in Japan and China, only the simplified and standard forms of 蟲 (meaning “insect” or “bug”) are used.

In South Korea, according to the list of hanja for names, 虫 does not appear as "훼" but only as the simplified form of 벌레 충 (蟲).