ténghú

barnacle

The Chinese word for barnacle, '藤壶' (ténghú), refers to a type of marine crustacean that attaches itself to various surfaces such as rocks, ships, and even whales. In Chinese, it is often used to describe these small, hard-shelled creatures that cling tightly to their chosen surfaces in the ocean, showcasing their role in marine ecosystems. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone or something that is overly clingy or difficult to remove.