蛹(さなぎ)

さなぎ
noun
pupa; chrysalis
1. pupa; chrysalis; cocoon stage
The intermediate stage in the life cycle of insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, between the larval and adult stages. The insect is encased in a protective covering while it transforms.
幼虫(ようちゅう)が蛹(さなぎ)になる。
The larva becomes a pupa.
蛹(さなぎ)の中(なか)で体(からだ)が作(つく)り変(か)えられている。
Inside the pupa, the body is being rebuilt.
蛹(さなぎ)から美(うつく)しい蝶(ちょう)が羽化(うか)する様子(ようす)を子供(こども)たちが観察(かんさつ)していた。
The children were observing how a beautiful butterfly emerges from its chrysalis.

The pupal stage of insects with complete metamorphosis (完全変態(かんぜんへんたい)). During this stage, the insect's body is broken down and rebuilt into its adult form. The kanji uses the 虫(むし) radical.

LIFE CYCLE STAGES:

  • 卵(たまご): egg
  • 幼虫(ようちゅう): larva (caterpillar, grub, etc.)
  • 蛹(さなぎ): pupa (chrysalis, cocoon stage)
  • 成虫(せいちゅう): adult insect (imago)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 蛹(さなぎ)になる: to pupate, to enter the pupal stage
  • 蛹(さなぎ)から羽化(うか)する: to emerge (as an adult insect) from the pupa
  • 蛹(さなぎ)の期間(きかん): pupal period

RELATED WORDS:

  • 繭(まゆ): cocoon — the silk casing spun by silkworms and some moth larvae; not all pupae form cocoons
  • 羽化(うか): eclosion, emergence — the process of an adult insect emerging from the pupa
general
Added 2026.4.1 23:16
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