Meanings of 零
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About 零
Podcast: 零
Podcast: 零
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AI Study Notes for 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').
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.
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'.
Pronunciation of 零
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Etymology of 零
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".
raindrop
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 零
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".
- 1The meaning half雨 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half令 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayraindrop
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 零? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 零
Identify the Components
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How to say zero in Chinese
“zero” in Chinese is零
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
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Practice writing 零 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Complete the Sentence
三千____五
3,005
Example Sentences for 零 (15)
Word Family of 零
Compound Meaning
What does 零售 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 零
You can use 零 in sentences like '我有零个苹果' (I have zero apples) or '温度是零度' (The temperature is zero degrees).
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