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March 24, 2026
零星língxīng(ling2xing1)
零星 (língxīng) refers to things that are scattered or fragmentary, often used to describe occurrences that are sporadic or not substantial. It can apply to various contexts such as weather conditions, information, or small items that are not part of a larger set.
Strokes22Frequency#28475DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of零星 can often relate to the way information is shared in society, where news can come in bits and pieces, reflecting a sometimes fragmented communication style.
Memory Tip
Imagine a starry night where the stars are零 (líng), meaning 'zero', and they appear in a scattered manner. Each star is like a fragment, representing零星 (língxīng), which helps you remember that it means 'bits and pieces' or 'sporadic' occurrences.
Meanings of 零星
língxīng(ling2xing1)
1fragmentary
2random
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 零星
零星Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#28475Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 零星
Podcast: 零星
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AI Study Notes for 零星
Quick Contrast
零散 (língsàn) refers to things that are scattered but often implies a lack of organization or cohesion, while 零星 (língxīng) emphasizes the sporadic or occasional nature of occurrences.
Usage Notes
零星 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious of its nuanced use related to quantity. Common collocations include 零星的消息 (sporadic news) and 零星的雨 (light rain). Misplacing it in a sentence may lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 零星 connects with other advanced vocabulary that conveys similar themes of fragmentation or randomness. Students should focus on its usage in different contexts, especially in writing and formal speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 零星 with 零碎 (língsuì), which means 'fragmented' but typically refers to physical objects. For example, saying '零星的碎片' (língxīng de suìpiàn) instead of '零碎的碎片' (língsuì de suìpiàn) is incorrect, as it mixes meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 零星
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零星 (língxīng) refers to things that are scattered or fragmentary, often used to describe occurrences that are sporadic or not substantial. It can apply to various contexts such as weather conditions, information, or small items that are not part of a larger set.
When to use 零星
零星 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious of its nuanced use related to quantity. Common collocations include 零星的消息 (sporadic news) and 零星的雨 (light rain). Misplacing it in a sentence may lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
零星 or something close to it
零散 (língsàn) refers to things that are scattered but often implies a lack of organization or cohesion, while 零星 (língxīng) emphasizes the sporadic or occasional nature of occurrences.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 零星 with 零碎 (língsuì), which means 'fragmented' but typically refers to physical objects. For example, saying '零星的碎片' (língxīng de suìpiàn) instead of '零碎的碎片' (língsuì de suìpiàn) is incorrect, as it mixes meanings.
Write 零星
零
星
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Grammar Patterns of 零星
零星 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
今天下午天气晴好，间有____阵雨。
There'll be bright or sunny spells and scattered showers this afternoon.
