伶 (líng) — (bound form) clever, intelligent; (bound form) performer, actor (in ancient China)
Definition
A bound form used mainly in 伶俐 ('clever, bright,' especially of children) and 伶人 ('performer/actor' in ancient China). It never stands alone; pair it with these set words to mean what you want.
bound form
cleverintelligentperformeractor (in ancient China)
Easily confused
- 泠línglook-alikecool and clear (literary, often used in compound words)
- 灵língsound-alike(adjective) quick, alert, sharp; smart
- 拎līnlook-aliketo carry in one's hand; to lift up (by a handle or strap)
- 零língsound-alikezero (the number)
- 怜liánlook-alike(bound form) to pity; to have compassion for
- 铃língsound-alikebell
Examples
- ，。Tā hěn líng lì, xué xí chéng jì fēi cháng hǎo.She is very clever and does very well in her studies.
- 伶。Gǔ dài de líng rén tōng cháng shè huì dì wèi bù gāo.Performers in ancient times usually had low social status.
- ，。Zhè hái zi bú dàn cōng ming líng lì, ér qiě hěn dǒng shì.This child is not only clever and bright, but also very sensible.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
The left part 人 shows a person, while the right part 令 gives the character 伶 its sound.
Appears in
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