Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
凌líng(Ling2)
The character 凌 (líng) can mean 'to rise high' or 'to approach,' often implying a sense of elevation or superiority. It is also used to denote 'thick ice' and can express actions related to insult or maltreatment, suggesting a moral or ethical dimension. This character is commonly encountered in names and literary contexts.
Strokes10Radical冫Frequency#13099DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall mountain (the character's shape has a peak) rising high into the sky, representing the meaning of 'to rise high.' Now, picture a layer of thick ice covering the top, reminding you of the word's other meanings connected to coldness and harshness.
Meanings of 凌
líng(Ling2)
1to approach
2to rise high
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 凌
凌Simplified
10Strokes
冫Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#13099Frequency Rank
Podcast: 凌
Podcast: 凌
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 凌
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall mountain (the character's shape has a peak) rising high into the sky, representing the meaning of 'to rise high.' Now, picture a layer of thick ice covering the top, reminding you of the word's other meanings connected to coldness and harshness.
Usage Notes
While 凌 can refer to an insult or maltreatment, it's often used in formal contexts and can carry a strong negative connotation. Students should be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that imply a more neutral or positive action. Common collocations include 凌驾 (línjià, to override or surpass).
HSK Study Tips
Although 凌 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it shares phonetic components with other characters at lower levels. Students should focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to grasp its nuances, especially in literary or formal contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 凌 with similar characters like 灵 (líng, spirit) due to their phonetic similarities. For example, saying '我觉得他很凌' instead of '我觉得他很灵' (I think he is very spiritual) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 凌
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 凌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 凌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 凌
凌 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Victorian houses can seem cold with their lofty ceilings and rambling rooms.
9
以盛气凌人的语气同面试者讲话将会适得其反。
yǐ shèng qì líng rén de yǔ qì tóng miàn shì zhě jiǎng huà jiāng huì shì dé qí fǎn。
It is counter-productive to address an interviewee in patronizing tones.
10
她走上前拥抱他并轻抚他凌乱的白发。
tā zǒu shàng qián yōng bào tā bìng qīng fǔ tā líng luàn de bái fā。
She walked forward and embraced him and stroked his tousled white hair.
Cultural Notes for 凌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.
Word Family of 凌
Words Containing This Character20
凌晨língchénin the wee hours
冰激凌bīngjīlíngice cream
凌língto approach
凌乱messy凌亂
凌空be high up in the sky
凌驾to be above凌駕
欺凌to bully and humiliate
凌云Lingyun county in Baise 百色[Bǎisè], Guangxi凌雲
凌辱to insult
恃强凌弱to bully恃強凌弱
盛气凌人shèngqìlíngrénoverbearing盛氣凌人
凌迟the lingering death凌遲
凌志Lexus
王心凌stage name of Cyndi Wang
冰凌icicle
以强凌弱to use one's strength to bully the weak (idiom)以強凌弱
凌虐to maltreat淩虐
凌海Linghai county level city in Jinzhou 錦州|锦州, Liaoning
凌汛ice-jam flood (arising when river downstream freezes more than upstream)
凌海市Linghai county level city in Jinzhou 錦州|锦州, Liaoning
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 凌晨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 凌
凌 can refer to physical elevation, like mountains or ice, as well as moral actions like insult or maltreatment.
Yes, 凌 (Líng) is a recognized surname in China, although it may not be as common as others.
You can use 凌 in contexts such as '凌驾于人之上' (to rise above others) or '他对我凌辱' (he insulted me).
