Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
躪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
躪lìnto trample, to oppress; to overrunx, 27 strokes, radical 足
lìn(lin4)lin T4
  1. 1to trample, to oppress; to overrun
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

躪lìn(lin4)

The character 躪 (lìn) means to trample or oppress, often implying a sense of overwhelming force or dominance over something. It is commonly used in contexts where one force or entity overrides another, such as in social or political discussions. The nuance often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an abuse of power or control.

Strokes27Radical足
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the concept of oppression is deeply tied to the narratives of social justice and rebellion, often seen in literature and folklore. The use of 躪 can evoke historical events where the common people were trampled by those in power.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant foot (representing oppression) stomping down on a flower (symbolizing something delicate). The character 躪 looks like a person (the radical '身' on the left) being trampled by a heavy weight (the '屯' part on the right). The pronunciation 'lìn' can be remembered by associating it with 'leaning' heavily on something, as in oppression.

Meanings of 躪

lìn(lin4)
1to trample, to oppress; to overrun
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 躪 means.

About 躪

躪Simplified
27Strokes
足Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 躪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 躪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 躪

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 躪 with similar characters like 踏 (tà), which means to step or tread without the connotation of oppression. This character is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in literary or political discussions. Be mindful of tone, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (lìn).

HSK Study Tips

Although 躪 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it can be connected to HSK Level 5 words like 压迫 (yā pò, to oppress) and 统治 (tǒng zhì, to rule). Students should focus on understanding its context within discussions of power dynamics and its emotional implications.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using 躪 incorrectly in casual conversation where a milder term like 踏 (tà) would be more appropriate, such as saying '我在公园里躪花' (I trample flowers in the park) instead of '踏' (tread). Additionally, learners may forget the correct tone, pronouncing it incorrectly as 'lín'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 躪

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 躪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 躪 to You

Let me explain 躪 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 躪 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 躪?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 躪 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 躪

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

foot

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

Origin

躪 = 足 + 藺. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 躪

IDS Structure⿰足藺
躪Full Character
=
足ju4
left
藺lin4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 躪?

How to say to trample, to oppress; to overrun in Chinese

“to trample, to oppress; to overrun” in Chinese is躪lìn

The character 躪 (lìn) means to trample or oppress, often implying a sense of overwhelming force or dominance over something. It is commonly used in contexts where one force or entity overrides another, such as in social or political discussions. The nuance often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an abuse of power or control.

When to use 躪

Learners often confuse 躪 with similar characters like 踏 (tà), which means to step or tread without the connotation of oppression. This character is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in literary or political discussions. Be mindful of tone, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (lìn).

What learners get wrong

One common mistake is using 躪 incorrectly in casual conversation where a milder term like 踏 (tà) would be more appropriate, such as saying '我在公园里躪花' (I trample flowers in the park) instead of '踏' (tread). Additionally, learners may forget the correct tone, pronouncing it incorrectly as 'lín'.

Write 躪

躪

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 躪?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 躪

Words Containing This Character2
蹂躏to ravage蹂躪
躏lìnto oppress躪
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 躪

What does 蹂躏 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 躪

An example sentence is: '这场战争导致了许多人的躬逢其盛,而另一部分人则被躪压了。' (This war led to many people thriving, while another group was trampled.)

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 躪?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab