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涟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
涟liánflowing water; ripples; weepingns, 10 strokes, radical 氵
涟liánrippleunknown, 10 strokes, radical 氵
涟liántearfulunknown, 10 strokes, radical 氵
lián(lian2)lian T2
  1. 1flowing water; ripples; weeping
  2. 2ripple
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March 24, 2026

涟(漣)lián(lian2)

The character 涟 (lián) primarily refers to the rippling effect of water, often evoking imagery of gentle waves or flowing streams. It can also metaphorically represent tears, suggesting a sense of sadness or emotional expression. This character is commonly used in poetic contexts and descriptions of nature.

Strokes10Radical氵
Cultural note

In Chinese poetry and literature, water frequently symbolizes emotions, and words like 涟 are used to create vivid imagery. The character is often found in works that explore themes of sorrow and beauty in nature.

Memory tip

Imagine a serene lake where gentle ripples (涟) spread across the surface as someone weeps by the shore. The left part of the character (氵) represents water, while the right part (连) sounds like 'lian,' like 'lan-lan' which is the sound of flowing water. Visualize the soft sound of 'lián' mimicking the gentle flow of water.

Meanings of 涟

lián(lian2)
1flowing water; ripples; weeping
2ripple
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 涟 means.

About 涟

涟Simplified
漣Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 涟

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Podcast: 涟

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AI study notes for 涟

Quick Contrast

涟 (lián) vs 波 (bō) — use 涟 for gentle ripples or emotional nuances, while 波 indicates larger, more forceful waves.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 涟 (lián) with similar characters related to water, such as 波 (bō), which means wave. 涟 is more poetic and often used in literary contexts. It is typically seen in written Chinese rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the official HSK levels, 涟 can enhance vocabulary related to nature and emotions at higher levels. Students should focus on contextual usage and collocations with other water-related terms and emotional expressions.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 涟 (lián) with other water-related characters like 浪 (làng), which means wave. It's important to remember that 涟 specifically refers to ripples or weeping, while 浪 refers to larger, more tumultuous waves.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 涟

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Etymology of 涟

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 连 represents the sound. Simplified form of 漣.

Memory hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)连
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

涟 = 氵 + 连. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 涟

IDS Structure⿰氵连
涟Full character
=
氵shui3
left
连Lian2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 涟?

How to say flowing water; ripples; weeping in Chinese

“flowing water; ripples; weeping” in Chinese is涟lián

The character 涟 (lián) primarily refers to the rippling effect of water, often evoking imagery of gentle waves or flowing streams. It can also metaphorically represent tears, suggesting a sense of sadness or emotional expression. This character is commonly used in poetic contexts and descriptions of nature.

When to use 涟

Be careful not to confuse 涟 (lián) with similar characters related to water, such as 波 (bō), which means wave. 涟 is more poetic and often used in literary contexts. It is typically seen in written Chinese rather than everyday conversation.

涟 or something close to it

涟 (lián) vs 波 (bō) — use 涟 for gentle ripples or emotional nuances, while 波 indicates larger, more forceful waves.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 涟 (lián) with other water-related characters like 浪 (làng), which means wave. It's important to remember that 涟 specifically refers to ripples or weeping, while 浪 refers to larger, more tumultuous waves.

Write 涟

涟

Practice writing 涟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 涟

涟 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 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

往池塘里扔块鹅卵石就会激起一片____漪。

You throw a pebble in a pool and it ripples.

Example sentences for 涟 (1)

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1
往池塘里扔块鹅卵石就会激起一片涟漪。

wǎng chítáng lǐ rēng kuài é luǎn dàn jiù huì jīqǐ yī piàn lián yī。

You throw a pebble in a pool and it ripples.

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Word Family of 涟

Words containing this character6
涟漪ripple漣漪
涟liánripple漣
涟源市Lianyuan county level city in Loudi 婁底|娄底[Lóu​dǐ], Hunan漣源市
涟水Lianshui county in Huai'an 淮安[Huái​'ān], Jiangsu漣水
涟源Lianyuan county level city in Loudi 婁底|娄底[Lóu​dǐ], Hunan漣源
涟水县Lianshui county in Huai'an 淮安[Huái​'ān], Jiangsu漣水縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 涟

What does 涟漪 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 涟

The pronunciation is 'lián,' which has a rising tone.

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