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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#13099DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
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About 凌
凌Simplified
10Strokes
冫Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#13099Frequency Rank
Podcast: 凌
Podcast: 凌
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AI Study Notes for 凌
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 凌?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 凌 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.
凌 = 冫 + 夌. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 凌
IDS Structure⿰冫夌
凌Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
夌ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 凌?
How to say surname Ling in Chinese
“surname Ling” in Chinese is凌líng
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.
When to use 凌
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).
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 凌
凌
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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.
