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March 24, 2026
麟(麐)lín(lin2)
The character 麟 (lín) refers to a mythical creature known as a female unicorn in Chinese folklore. It is often associated with auspiciousness and good fortune, and it is considered a rare and noble symbol in Chinese culture, much like its male counterpart, 麒麟 (qílín). This character is less commonly used compared to 麒麟 but still carries significant meaning in literary and artistic contexts.
Strokes23Radical鹿Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the 麒麟 (qílín) and 麟 (lín) are both seen as auspicious creatures that herald peace and prosperity. The appearance of a qilin or lin is often interpreted as a good omen, particularly in the context of important events like births or the arrival of wise leaders.
Memory Tip
Imagine a graceful female unicorn prancing through a lush forest. The character 麟 has both a 'horn' radical (the top section) and a 'food' radical (the bottom section), hinting at its mythical nature and connection to abundance and prosperity. Visualize this unicorn as a symbol of elegance and rarity to help remember its pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 麟
lín(lin2)
1female unicorn
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 麟
麟Simplified
麐Traditional
23Strokes
鹿Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 麟
Podcast: 麟
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AI Study Notes for 麟
Quick Contrast
麒麟 (qílín) refers to the male unicorn counterpart and is more commonly used, while 麟 (lín) specifically denotes the female version.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a graceful female unicorn prancing through a lush forest. The character 麟 has both a 'horn' radical (the top section) and a 'food' radical (the bottom section), hinting at its mythical nature and connection to abundance and prosperity. Visualize this unicorn as a symbol of elegance and rarity to help remember its pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 麟 with 麒麟 (qílín), which refers to the male unicorn, so it's important to note the distinctions. 麟 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be mindful of using the correct tone (lín) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 麟 is not included in the standard HSK levels, it connects to advanced vocabulary regarding mythical creatures and cultural symbols. Students should focus on recognizing this character in literary texts and understanding its cultural significance within the context of Chinese mythology.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the 麒麟 (qílín) and 麟 (lín) are both seen as auspicious creatures that herald peace and prosperity. The appearance of a qilin or lin is often interpreted as a good omen, particularly in the context of important events like births or the arrival of wise leaders.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 麟 when they mean 麒麟, leading to confusion about gender. For example, saying '我看到一只麟' (I saw a lin) when referring to a unicorn in general is incorrect; the correct term for a unicorn is 麒麟 (qílín).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 麟
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Grammar Patterns of 麟
麟 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). 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
成功的女政治家凤毛____角。
Successful women politicians are few and far between.
Example Sentences for 麟 (3)
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1
成功的女政治家凤毛麟角。
chéng gōng de nǚ zhèng zhì jiā fèng máo lín jiǎo。
Successful women politicians are few and far between.
2
在一排排笔直的,用带刺的铁丝编扎的栅栏那一边,有一丛丛金黄色的秋麒麟草.
zài yī pái pái bǐ zhí de, , yòng dài cì de tiě sī biān zā de zhà lán nà yī, biān , yǒu yī cóng cóng jīn huáng sè de qiū qí.
Beyond the undeviating barbed - wire fences were clumps of golden rod.
3
空气里闻得到幽幽的大茴香和秋麒麟草的香味.
kōng qì lǐ wén dé dào yōu yōu de dà huí xiāng hé qiū qí lín cǎo de xiāng wèi.
A faint anise smell is on the air, goldenrod scent.
Cultural Notes for 麟
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the 麒麟 (qílín) and 麟 (lín) are both seen as auspicious creatures that herald peace and prosperity. The appearance of a qilin or lin is often interpreted as a good omen, particularly in the context of important events like births or the arrival of wise leaders.
Word Family of 麟
Words Containing This Character10
麒麟kylin
麟línkylin
凤毛麟角fig. few and far between鳳毛麟角
谭咏麟Alan Tam (1950-), Hong Kong Canto-pop singer and actor譚詠麟
麒麟区Qilin district, Qujing city, Yunnan麒麟區
章炳麟Zhang Taiyan 章太炎 (1869-1936), scholar, journalist, revolutionary and leading intellectual around the time of the Xinhai revolution
麟游县Linyou County in Baoji 寶雞|宝鸡[Bǎojī], Shaanxi麟遊縣
麟游Linyou County in Baoji 寶雞|宝鸡[Bǎojī], Shaanxi麟遊
汤玉麟Tang Yulin (1871-1937), minor warlord in northeast China, sometime governor of Chengde 承德, mostly poor in battle but very successful at accumulating personal wealth湯玉麟
麒麟座Monoceros (constellation)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 麒麟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 麟
麟 (lín) means 'female unicorn' and is associated with auspiciousness in Chinese mythology.
麟 refers specifically to the female unicorn, while 麒麟 (qílín) refers to the male counterpart.
No, 麟 is more commonly found in literary or artistic contexts rather than in daily conversation.
