Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
伶líng(ling2)
The character 伶 (líng) primarily means clever or intelligent, often used to describe someone who is quick-witted. It can also refer to a solitary person or someone who acts, particularly in the context of traditional Chinese theater. This character evokes a sense of both intelligence and performance.
Strokes7Radical亻Frequency#13929DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the performing arts, especially opera, hold significant importance, and 伶 reflects this heritage. The word connects to historical figures in Chinese theater who were celebrated for their clever performances.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clever actor (伶) who is performing a solo act on stage, captivating the audience with their wit. The left radical 亻 (a person) represents the actor, while the right side suggests cleverness, forming a vivid image of a talented individual standing alone in the spotlight.
Meanings of 伶
líng(ling2)
1clever
2clever; lonely, solitary
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 伶
伶Simplified
7Strokes
亻Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#13929Frequency Rank
Podcast: 伶
Podcast: 伶
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 伶
Quick Contrast
聪明 (cōngmíng) vs 机灵 (jīlíng) — choose 伶 when emphasizing performance or acting ability over general cleverness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clever actor (伶) who is performing a solo act on stage, captivating the audience with their wit. The left radical 亻 (a person) represents the actor, while the right side suggests cleverness, forming a vivid image of a talented individual standing alone in the spotlight.
Usage Notes
伶 is often used in literary or somewhat formal contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations. Be cautious with its nuances; while it can denote cleverness, it can also imply loneliness in certain contexts. Common collocations include 伶俐 (líng lì), meaning clever, and 伶人 (líng rén), referring to an actor.
HSK Study Tips
Though 伶 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other characters that describe intelligence or performance, such as 聪 (cōng, smart) and 演 (yǎn, to act). Focus on the nuances of cleverness and performance to deepen understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the performing arts, especially opera, hold significant importance, and 伶 reflects this heritage. The word connects to historical figures in Chinese theater who were celebrated for their clever performances.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 伶 with similar-sounding characters like 灵 (líng), which means spirit or nimble. For example, saying 伶 (líng) when you mean 灵 (líng) can change the meaning entirely. Always check the context to ensure the right character is used.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 伶
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 伶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 伶 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 伶
伶 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). It carries 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他是个不错的小伙子——聪明____俐而且性格开朗。
He was a nice lad — bright and with a sunny disposition.
Example Sentences for 伶 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他是个不错的小伙子——聪明伶俐而且性格开朗。
tā shì gè bù cuò de xiǎo huǒ zǐ—— —— cōng míng líng lì ér qiě xìng gé kāi。
He was a nice lad — bright and with a sunny disposition.
zài zhè qún guò fēn zì xìn, , xué shí yuān, bó , líng yá lì chǐ de rén, zhōng jiān , tā zǒng fǎng fó jué dé zì jǐ guò, yú lǎn sàn , bèn.
Among assertive, learned, or eloquent people, she seemed to feel her dowdiness and insufficiency.
Cultural Notes for 伶
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the performing arts, especially opera, hold significant importance, and 伶 reflects this heritage. The word connects to historical figures in Chinese theater who were celebrated for their clever performances.
Word Family of 伶
Words Containing This Character10
伶língclever
伶俐línglìclever
聪明伶俐clever and quick-witted聰明伶俐
伶牙俐齿having the gift of the gab伶牙俐齒
孤苦伶仃solitary and impoverished (idiom)
伶仃alone and helpless
名伶famous actor or actress (Chinese opera)
伶人actor
优伶actor優伶
瘦骨伶仃emaciated
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 伶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 伶
Common phrases include 伶俐 (líng lì) for clever and 伶人 (líng rén) for actor.
It's more common in written or formal contexts, so it may not be frequently used in casual speech.
It can imply loneliness in some contexts, so it's important to consider how it's used in conversation.
