(onom.) ting-a-ling (in compounds such as 玎玲 or 玲瓏|玲珑)
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 王, rank #13521, Hard
玲
líng
tinkling of gem-pendants
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 王, rank #13521, Hard
líng(ling2) T2
1the tinkling of jewelry
2(onom.) ting-a-ling (in compounds such as 玎玲 or 玲瓏|玲珑)
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March 24, 2026
玲líng(ling2)
The character 玲 (líng) refers to the sound of tinkling, often associated with jewelry or small bells. It is commonly used in compounds to describe delicate, beautiful sounds or objects, evoking a sense of elegance and charm.
Strokes9Radical王Frequency#13521DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound of tinkling bells or jewelry is often associated with femininity and grace, symbolizing wealth and beauty. This sound is commonly used in literature and music to evoke a serene and enchanting atmosphere.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small, shiny bell made of precious gems that tinkles softly when shaken. The character 玲 has a radical that resembles the shape of a bell, which can help you remember its meaning related to tinkling sounds.
Meanings of 玲
líng(ling2)
1the tinkling of jewelry
2(onom.) ting-a-ling (in compounds such as 玎玲 or 玲瓏|玲珑)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 玲
玲Simplified
9Strokes
王Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 玲
Podcast: 玲
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AI Study Notes for 玲
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small, shiny bell made of precious gems that tinkles softly when shaken. The character 玲 has a radical that resembles the shape of a bell, which can help you remember its meaning related to tinkling sounds.
Usage Notes
This character is often found in poetic or descriptive contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing it as lǐng may change the meaning entirely. It frequently pairs with words like 'jewelry' (珠宝) or 'delicate' (精致).
HSK Study Tips
Although 玲 is not an HSK word, it connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to beauty and sound. Pay attention to its usage in describing aesthetics, as it helps reinforce vocabulary about appearance and sensory experiences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound of tinkling bells or jewelry is often associated with femininity and grace, symbolizing wealth and beauty. This sound is commonly used in literature and music to evoke a serene and enchanting atmosphere.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 玲 with similar-sounding characters like 灵 (líng), which means 'spirit' or 'quick.' A common mistake is using 玲 when referring to quickness, for example, saying '她很玲' instead of '她很灵' (She is very quick).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 玲
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Grammar Patterns of 玲
玲 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 4
Complete the Sentence
多么小巧____珑的房子 啊 !
What a pretty little house it is!
Example Sentences for 玲 (6)
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1
多么小巧玲珑的房子 啊 !
duō mó xiǎo qiǎo líng lóng de fáng zǐ!
What a pretty little house it is!
2
而真正使刘玉玲成名的还要算是1997年的影片《甜心俏佳人 》.
ér zhēn zhèng shǐ liú yù líng chéng míng de huán yào suàn shì1997 1997 nián de yǐng《 piàn 《 tián xīn qiào》.
In 1997, she landed her big break in " Ally McBeal ".
3
你认为秋玲失踪的事和这案子有关?
nǐ rèn wéi qiū líng shī zōng de shì hé zhè àn zǐ yǒu guān?
So you think Carina's case is related to this case?
4
陈秋兰, 廖美玲 ( 1999 ) 崭新而实用的英语教学, 敦煌,台北.
chén qiū lán, , liào měi(1999) líng ( 1999 ) zhǎn xīn ér shí yòng de yīng yǔ, jiào xué, , dūn.
Halliwell, Susan ( 1992 ) Teaching English in the Primary Classroom, Longman.
In tubers from such potatoes stem mottle symptoms are rarely observed.
Cultural Notes for 玲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sound of tinkling bells or jewelry is often associated with femininity and grace, symbolizing wealth and beauty. This sound is commonly used in literature and music to evoke a serene and enchanting atmosphere.
Word Family of 玲
Words Containing This Character11
玲língtinkling of gem-pendants
玲珑exquisite玲瓏
林志玲Lin Chi-ling (1974-), Taiwanese model and actress
张爱玲Eileen Chang (1920-1995), famous Chinese-American novelist張愛玲
美玲Meiling (female name)
八面玲珑be smooth and slick (in establishing social relations)八面玲瓏
小巧玲珑exquisite小巧玲瓏
玲玲(onom.) tinkling (e.g. of jewels)
丁玲Ding Ling (1904-1986), female novelist, author of novel The Sun Shines over the Sanggan River 太陽照在桑乾河上|太阳照在桑干河上, attacked during the 1950s as anti-Party
玲珑剔透exquisitely made玲瓏剔透
郑裕玲Carol "Dodo" Cheng Yu-Ling (1957-), Hong Kong actress and TV host鄭裕玲
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 玲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 玲
玲 is not commonly used in everyday conversation but refers to the tinkling sound of jewelry or bells, often used in poetic contexts.
It is pronounced as líng, with a rising tone. Make sure to avoid the falling tone, which would change its meaning.
While it primarily describes tinkling sounds, it can also be used metaphorically for other delicate sounds in literary contexts.
