When you see this as a component, think of the category "insect with Chinese characteristics," i.e. anything creepy-crawly.

as a component: “虫字旁”

A quarter is half cut in half again.

exterminator slashes out insects, protects himself with a hood

bamboo is the same as a tube

“三撇”

guess the approximate age of the wood, the flight attendant

Check up on the wooden barn every year for rot.

in the United Nations 联合国, they listen to the countries with whom they have 关系 guānxi and shut their ears to the rest

collide on the ice in the middle of the rink OR water collides with the ice, rushing through the middle of it

It is perilous to be on the pinnacle of the barn.

Your barn venue idea would be perilous to the reputation of Pinnacle Weddings.

I needed two hands at the guard tower, but he forsook me.

your job is to listen only to the boss

compare the smell of a corpse to a fart

tightrope walker walking along a strip with a pole for balance

modified component version: ⺮ “竹字头”

The competition at the silver mines was ruthless, like the fighting of dogs.

"Ruthless and Her Silver-Work" Ruthless was the daughter of a silver mine’s foreman. She learned from the blacksmith to work in silver and became famous for her fine blades, razor-sharp silver spurs and silver-studded collars for guard dogs. Moral: Don’t mess with ruthless silver-workers or their dogs. (Fables)

A rule has to have a consequence: shells to be paid or the sword.

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