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零 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
零
líng
zero
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
nought
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
zero sign
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
fractional
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
fragmentary
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
odd (of numbers)
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
(placed between two numbers to indicate a smaller quantity followed by a larger one)
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
fraction
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
(in mathematics) remainder (after division)
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
extra
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
to wither and fall
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
to wither
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
零
líng
zero; fragment, fraction
HSK 1, m, 13 strokes, radical 雨, rank #3623, Easy
líng(ling2)ling T2
1zero
2nought
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March 24, 2026
零líng(ling2)
The character 零 (líng) means 'zero' or 'nought' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in mathematics to represent the absence of quantity and can also denote fractional or odd numbers in various contexts. In everyday usage, it serves as a placeholder in numbers, indicating a smaller quantity compared to a larger one.
Strokes13Radical雨Frequency#3623DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of zero is significant in traditional numerology, where numbers are often associated with fortune and fate. The use of zero as a placeholder is crucial for financial calculations, especially in a rapidly growing economic landscape.
Memory tip
Imagine a round, empty circle representing nothingness — this is 零 (líng) for zero. The character looks like a circle, which visually symbolizes emptiness or 'zero'. Think of a 'lingering' absence, like the emptiness of a zero.
Meanings of 零
líng(ling2)
1zero
2nought
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 零 means.
About 零
零Simplified
13Strokes
雨Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#3623Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 零
Podcast: 零
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AI study notes for 零
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation; 'líng' should not be confused with similar-sounding words. It's often used in mathematical contexts, so collocations might include phrases like '零点' (líng diǎn, meaning 'zero point') or '零下' (líng xià, meaning 'below zero').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 零 connects with other numerical terms and can help learners build a solid foundation in counting and basic math vocabulary. Focus on its use in both spoken and written contexts, especially in everyday conversations involving quantities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 零 (líng) with 令 (lìng), which means 'to cause' or 'to order'. A common mistake is saying '令' instead of '零' when referring to 'zero'. Always remember that 零 specifically denotes 'zero'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 零
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 零 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.
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "to fall (of rain/snow)". The meaning later shifted to "scattered", "fragment", "fraction", "remainder", and "zero".
零 = 雨 + 令. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 零
IDS Structure⿱雨令
零Full character
=
雨yu3
top
令Ling2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 零?
How to say zero in Chinese
“zero” in Chinese is零líng
The character 零 (líng) means 'zero' or 'nought' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in mathematics to represent the absence of quantity and can also denote fractional or odd numbers in various contexts. In everyday usage, it serves as a placeholder in numbers, indicating a smaller quantity compared to a larger one.
When to use 零
Be cautious with the pronunciation; 'líng' should not be confused with similar-sounding words. It's often used in mathematical contexts, so collocations might include phrases like '零点' (líng diǎn, meaning 'zero point') or '零下' (líng xià, meaning 'below zero').
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 零 (líng) with 令 (lìng), which means 'to cause' or 'to order'. A common mistake is saying '令' instead of '零' when referring to 'zero'. Always remember that 零 specifically denotes 'zero'.
Write 零
零
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Practice writing 零 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 零
零 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 13 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.
