How to write 蚤

蚤 [zǎo] 1. Insect, reddish-brown, good at jumping, parasitic on humans and livestock, feeding on blood, and capable of transmitting diseases such as plague. Commonly referred to as "跳蚤" (flea), "虼蚤" (flea). 2. Homophone of "早" (early/morning). - Example: 四之日其～，献羔祭韭 (On the fourth day of the month, the lamb sacrifice was offered). 3. Homophone of "爪" (claw). - Example: 周公乃自揃其～ (Duke Zhou then arranged his claws). 【引】 1. 《说文》: 蚤, 啮人跳蚤 (Shuo Wen: The flea that gnaws at people). 2. 《庄子·秋水》: 鸱鸺夜撮蚤 (Zhuangzi: The owl hunts flees at night). 3. 曹植《贪恶鸟论》: 得蚤者莫不糜之齿牙，为害身也 (Cao Zhi: Those who obtain fleas suffer damage to their teeth and body). 【例】 Examples: 沙蚤 (sand flea), 水蚤 (water flea), 蚤蚊 (flea and mosquito, also broadly refers to small pests), 蚤虱 (flea and louse, also broadly refers to small pests). 4. Homophone of "早" (early/morning) indicating the beginning of the month or the morning time. - Examples: - 日日蚤食 (Every day starts early). - 不麾蚤 (Do not signal early). - 四之日其蚤 (On the fourth day of the month). - 使遂蚤得处囊中。乃颖脱而出 (When allowed, the arrow will rise early and be released). 【例】 Examples: 蚤亡 (die young), 蚤出夜入 (leave in the morning and return at night), 蚤作 (get up early), 蚤夜 (day and night; early and late). 5. Homophone of "爪" (claw). - Example: - 因其蹄蚤 (Because of its small hooves). - 争利如蚤甲而丧其掌 (Competing for profit like a claw and losing authority). 【例】 Examples: 蚤牙 (claw), 蚤甲 (claw cover). 副: Indicates an earlier time, opposed to "迟" (late). 【引】 1. 《国语·周语》: 若皆蚤世犹可 (If everyone were to pass away early, it would still be acceptable). 2. 《诗·豳风·七月》: 四之日其蚤 (On the fourth day of the month). 3. 《汉书·刘向传》: 不可不蚤虑 (One must think early). 4. 《史记·龟策传》: 旦日不可不蚤自来谢项王 (The next day, I must go early to thank King Xiang). 【例】 Examples: 蚤世 (died young, premature death), 蚤食 (earlier meal), 蚤达 (achieved success at a young age), 蚤知之士 (a person with foresight).