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聆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
língto hear, to listenv, 11 strokes, radical 耳, rank #20036, Hard
língto understand clearlyunknown, 11 strokes, radical 耳, rank #20036, Hard
líng(ling2) T2
  1. 1to hear, to listen
  2. 2to understand clearly
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
líng(ling2)

聆 (líng) means 'to hear' or 'to listen' attentively, often implying a deeper understanding or appreciation of what is being heard. This character is commonly used in contexts where careful listening is required, such as in music, speeches, or conversations, emphasizing the act of paying close attention.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#20036DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of listening is highly valued, especially in traditional contexts like tea ceremonies or philosophical discussions, where deep understanding is essential. 聆 embodies this cultural appreciation for attentiveness and respect in communication.

Memory Tip

Imagine a listener with large ears (the radical '耳' represents ear) that can hear the softest sounds. The phonetic component '玲' suggests clarity, so picture someone who not only hears but also understands every note of a beautiful melody, making it memorable that 聆 means to listen attentively.

Meanings of 聆

líng(ling2)
1to hear, to listen
2to understand clearly
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 聆

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 聆

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AI Study Notes for 聆

Quick Contrast

聽 (tīng) vs 聆 (líng): Use 聽 for general listening; 聆 emphasizes attentive and appreciative listening.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a listener with large ears (the radical '耳' represents ear) that can hear the softest sounds. The phonetic component '玲' suggests clarity, so picture someone who not only hears but also understands every note of a beautiful melody, making it memorable that 聆 means to listen attentively.

Usage Notes

Learners often mistakenly use 聆 in casual contexts where 听 (tīng) would be more appropriate. 聆 is more formal and is typically used in literary or elevated contexts, such as '聆听' (to listen attentively). Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a rising tone (líng), not a falling one.

HSK Study Tips

While 聆 is not currently included in the official HSK levels, it relates to other listening-related words like 听 (tīng) and 聽 (tīng) in terms of expanding vocabulary around auditory experiences. Focus on practicing its use in more formal settings or written Chinese to enhance your skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of listening is highly valued, especially in traditional contexts like tea ceremonies or philosophical discussions, where deep understanding is essential. 聆 embodies this cultural appreciation for attentiveness and respect in communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 聆 with 听, using 聆 in inappropriate casual contexts. For example, saying '我聆音乐' (Wǒ líng yīnyuè) should be corrected to '我听音乐' (Wǒ tīng yīnyuè) for casual listening.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 聆

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Etymology of 聆

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

Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

ear

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 聆?

Decomposition of 聆

IDS Structure⿰耳令
Full Character
=
er3
left
Ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 聆?

Write 聆

Practice writing 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 聆

聆 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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

Complete the Sentence

她在山顶上大声喊着,然后____听着回声.

She shouted on the mountaintop and listened for the echo.

Example Sentences for 聆 (1)

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1
她在山顶上大声喊着,然后聆听着回声.

tā zài shān dǐng shàng dà shēng hǎn zháo, , rán hòu líng tīng zháo huí.

She shouted on the mountaintop and listened for the echo.

Cultural Notes for 聆

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the act of listening is highly valued, especially in traditional contexts like tea ceremonies or philosophical discussions, where deep understanding is essential. 聆 embodies this cultural appreciation for attentiveness and respect in communication.

Word Family of 聆

Words Containing This Character2
聆听to listen (respectfully)聆聽
língto hear
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 聆听 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 聆

No, 聆 is more formal and often found in literature or speeches rather than casual dialogue.