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凌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
凌língsurname Lingnr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
凌língto approachnr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
凌língto rise highnr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
凌língthick icenr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
凌língto insult or maltreatnr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
凌língpure; virtuous; to insult; to maltreatnr, 10 strokes, radical 冫, rank #13099, Hard
líng(Ling2) T2
  1. 1to approach
  2. 2to rise high
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

凌líng(Ling2)

The character 凌 (líng) can mean 'to rise high' or 'to approach,' often implying a sense of elevation or superiority. It is also used to denote 'thick ice' and can express actions related to insult or maltreatment, suggesting a moral or ethical dimension. This character is commonly encountered in names and literary contexts.

Strokes10Radical冫Frequency#13099DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall mountain (the character's shape has a peak) rising high into the sky, representing the meaning of 'to rise high.' Now, picture a layer of thick ice covering the top, reminding you of the word's other meanings connected to coldness and harshness.

Meanings of 凌

líng(Ling2)
1to approach
2to rise high
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 凌

凌Simplified
10Strokes
冫Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#13099Frequency Rank

Podcast: 凌

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Podcast: 凌

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 凌

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tall mountain (the character's shape has a peak) rising high into the sky, representing the meaning of 'to rise high.' Now, picture a layer of thick ice covering the top, reminding you of the word's other meanings connected to coldness and harshness.

Usage Notes

While 凌 can refer to an insult or maltreatment, it's often used in formal contexts and can carry a strong negative connotation. Students should be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that imply a more neutral or positive action. Common collocations include 凌驾 (línjià, to override or surpass).

HSK Study Tips

Although 凌 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it shares phonetic components with other characters at lower levels. Students should focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to grasp its nuances, especially in literary or formal contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 凌 with similar characters like 灵 (líng, spirit) due to their phonetic similarities. For example, saying '我觉得他很凌' instead of '我觉得他很灵' (I think he is very spiritual) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 凌

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Etymology of 凌

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

ice

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 凌?

Decomposition of 凌

IDS Structure⿰冫夌
凌Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
夌ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 凌?

Write 凌

凌

Practice writing 凌 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 凌

凌 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我认为你自己就有些过于盛气____人。

I think you're a bit too high and mighty yourself.

Common Confusions with 凌

凌vs冷
lěng

Similar pronunciation but different meaning.

凌vs零
líng

Same pinyin but different usage and meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to approach"?

or

Example Sentences for 凌 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我认为你自己就有些过于盛气凌人。

wǒ rèn wéi nǐ zì jǐ jiù yǒu xiē guò yú shèng qì líng rén。

I think you're a bit too high and mighty yourself.
2
他们填了一肚子的冰激凌、巧克力和棒棒糖。

tā mén tián le yī dù zǐ de bīng jī líng、 、 qiǎo kè lì hé bàng bàng。

They stuffed themselves with ice creams, chocolate and lollies.
3
他一脚漂亮的凌空抽射，把球踢进了球门的远角。

tā yī jiǎo piāo liàng de líng kōng chōu shè， ， bǎ qiú tī jìn le qiú mén de yuǎn。

He volleyed the ball spectacularly into the far corner of the net.
4
他头发凌乱，没刮胡子，脸色苍白。

tā tóu fā líng luàn， ， méi guā hú， zǐ ， liǎn sè。

His hair was disheveled, and his face was unshaven and gray.
5
他和他爸爸一样都是个恃强凌弱的莽夫。

tā hé tā bà bà yī yàng dū shì gè shì qiáng líng ruò de mǎng fū。

He is a hothead and a bully just like his dad.
6
意大利人总是在用餐结束时来份冰激凌。

yì dà lì rén zǒng shì zài yòng cān jié shù shí lái fèn bīng jī líng。

The Italian way is to round off a meal with an ice-cream.
7
莫雷蒂用手理了理他那一头凌乱的红发。

mò léi dì yòng shǒu lǐ le lǐ tā nà yī tóu líng luàn de hóng fā。

Moretti ran a hand through his disordered red hair.
8
维多利亚式房屋屋顶高耸，房间布局凌乱，因此可能会显得较为阴冷。

wéi duō lì yà shì fáng wū wū dǐng gāo sǒng， ， fáng jiān bù jú líng， luàn ， yīn cǐ kě néng huì xiǎn dé jiào wéi。

Victorian houses can seem cold with their lofty ceilings and rambling rooms.
9
以盛气凌人的语气同面试者讲话将会适得其反。

yǐ shèng qì líng rén de yǔ qì tóng miàn shì zhě jiǎng huà jiāng huì shì dé qí fǎn。

It is counter-productive to address an interviewee in patronizing tones.
10
她走上前拥抱他并轻抚他凌乱的白发。

tā zǒu shàng qián yōng bào tā bìng qīng fǔ tā líng luàn de bái fā。

She walked forward and embraced him and stroked his tousled white hair.

Cultural Notes for 凌

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of rising high can symbolize ambition and honor, while the idea of maltreatment can reflect societal issues, such as the importance of virtue and respect in interpersonal relationships.

Word Family of 凌

Words Containing This Character20
凌晨língchénin the wee hours
冰激凌bīngjīlíngice cream
凌língto approach
凌乱messy凌亂
凌空be high up in the sky
凌驾to be above凌駕
欺凌to bully and humiliate
凌云Lingyun county in Baise 百色[Bǎi​sè], Guangxi凌雲
凌辱to insult
恃强凌弱to bully恃強凌弱
盛气凌人shèngqìlíngrénoverbearing盛氣凌人
凌迟the lingering death凌遲
凌志Lexus
王心凌stage name of Cyndi Wang
冰凌icicle
以强凌弱to use one's strength to bully the weak (idiom)以強凌弱
凌虐to maltreat淩虐
凌海Linghai county level city in Jinzhou 錦州|锦州, Liaoning
凌汛ice-jam flood (arising when river downstream freezes more than upstream)
凌海市Linghai county level city in Jinzhou 錦州|锦州, Liaoning
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 凌晨 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 凌

凌 can refer to physical elevation, like mountains or ice, as well as moral actions like insult or maltreatment.