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岭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
lǐngmountain ridge, mountain peakn, 8 strokes, radical 山, rank #15899, Hard
lǐngmountain rangeunknown, 8 strokes, radical 山, rank #15899, Hard
lǐng(ling3) T3
  1. 1mountain ridge, mountain peak
  2. 2mountain range
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March 24, 2026

(嶺)lǐng(ling3)

The character 岭 (lǐng) refers to a mountain ridge or peak, often signifying a high point or the elevated line between two slopes. It is commonly used in geographical terms to describe formations in landscapes, especially in relation to mountains and ranges. The term evokes a sense of elevation and natural beauty.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#15899DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, mountains hold significant spiritual and historical meaning, often associated with strength and stability. The concept of mountain ridges is also prevalent in poetry and art, symbolizing the journey and challenges in life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'link' (sounds like 'lǐng') that connects two mountain peaks, forming a ridge. The character 岭 has the radical '山' (mountain) at the bottom, reminding you that it is all about mountains. Picture yourself standing on a ridge, linking two majestic mountains in front of you.

Meanings of 岭

lǐng(ling3)
1mountain ridge, mountain peak
2mountain range
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 岭

Simplified
Traditional
8Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 岭

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AI Study Notes for 岭

Quick Contrast

山 (shān) - use 岭 when referring specifically to a ridge or peak, while 山 is more general for any mountain.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'link' (sounds like 'lǐng') that connects two mountain peaks, forming a ridge. The character 岭 has the radical '山' (mountain) at the bottom, reminding you that it is all about mountains. Picture yourself standing on a ridge, linking two majestic mountains in front of you.

Usage Notes

When using 岭, it's important to know that it is often paired with geographical terms such as '山' (mountain) or '峰' (peak). It is generally used in written contexts rather than spoken ones. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words or using it inappropriately in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 岭 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for students at HSK 4 or higher who are interested in geography or nature. Focus on recognizing this character in context, especially in texts discussing mountainous regions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, mountains hold significant spiritual and historical meaning, often associated with strength and stability. The concept of mountain ridges is also prevalent in poetry and art, symbolizing the journey and challenges in life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 岭 with 峰 (peak) and use them interchangeably, incorrectly saying '我去峰' (I go to the peak) instead of '我去岭' (I go to the ridge). Remember that 岭 is specifically about ridges, not just any peak.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 岭

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Etymology of 岭

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

Phonosemantic compound. 山 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound. Simplified form of 嶺.

Memory Hint

mountain

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 岭?

Decomposition of 岭

IDS Structure⿰山令
Full Character
=
Shan1
left
Ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 岭?

Write 岭

Practice writing 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 岭

岭 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 2 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

伯爵茶、大吉____茶和茉莉花茶是最畅销的几种传统茶叶。

Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Jasmine are best-selling traditional teas.

Example Sentences for 岭 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
伯爵茶、大吉岭茶和茉莉花茶是最畅销的几种传统茶叶。

bó jué chá、 、 dà jí lǐng chá hé mò lì huā chá shì zuì chàng xiāo de jī zhǒng chuán tǒng chá。

Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Jasmine are best-selling traditional teas.
2
处于广花一级公路旁, 东临白云机场,南近狮岭国际皮革城.

chǔ yú guǎng huā yī jí gōng lù páng, , dōng lín bái yún jī, cháng , nán jìn shī lǐng guó jì pí.

We own excellence product quality , attain perfect after - sales service.
3
风在林间吹过,叶子微微作着声响.岭上啄木鸟在波波地敲着树子.

fēng zài lín jiān chuī guò, , yè zǐ wēi wēi zuò zháo shēng. xiǎng . lǐng shàng zhuó mù niǎo zài bō bō dì qiāo zháo.

Leaves rustled lightly in the wind and woodpeckers tapped at tree trunks.
4
满城特产雪桃, 始产于满城县的岭西村.

mǎn chéng tè chǎn xuě táo, , shǐ chǎn yú mǎn chéng xiàn de lǐng xī.

Mancheng specialty snow peach, only produced in Mancheng County, Ridge Nishimura.
5
泮溪酒店的建筑具有浓厚的岭南庭园艺术特色.

pàn xī jiǔ diàn de jiàn zhù jù yǒu nóng hòu de lǐng nán tíng yuán yì shù tè sè.

Panxi restaurant has a strong horticulture characteristic of the south gardens.

Cultural Notes for 岭

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, mountains hold significant spiritual and historical meaning, often associated with strength and stability. The concept of mountain ridges is also prevalent in poetry and art, symbolizing the journey and challenges in life.

Word Family of 岭

Words Containing This Character20
lǐngmountain range
翻山越岭to pass over mountains ridges (idiom); fig. hardships of the journey翻山越嶺
分水岭dividing range分水嶺
岭南south of the five ranges嶺南
山岭shānlǐngmountain ridge山嶺
秦岭Qinling mountain range in Shaanxi forming natural barrier between Guanzhong plain 關中平原|关中平原[Guān​zhōng​píng​yuán] and Han River 漢水|汉水[Hàn​shuǐ] valley秦嶺
崇山峻岭towering mountains and precipitous ridges (idiom)崇山峻嶺
八达岭Badaling, a particular section of the Great Wall that is a favorite tourist destination八達嶺
松岭Songling district of Daxing'anling prefecture 大興安嶺地區|大兴安岭地区, Heilongjiang松嶺
荒山野岭wild, mountainous country荒山野嶺
大兴安岭Daxing'anling prefecture大興安嶺
温岭Wenling county level city in Taizhou 台州[Tāi​zhōu], Zhejiang溫嶺
铁岭also Tieling county鐵嶺
果岭green (golf) (loanword)果嶺
长岭Changling county in Songyuan 松原, Jilin長嶺
温岭市Wenling county level city in Taizhou 台州[Tāi​zhōu], Zhejiang溫嶺市
高岭土kaolin (clay)高嶺土
南岭Nanling mountain, on the border of Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Guangxi南嶺
峻岭lofty mountain range峻嶺
铁岭市Tieling prefecture level city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China鐵嶺市
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 岭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 岭

岭 specifically refers to a ridge or peak, while 山 is a general term for mountain.