笼 (lóng) — to cover (with a cage-like object); to envelop; to cage (an animal); to trap
Definition
笼 (lóng) is a verb meaning 'to cover' or 'to cage' — usually a larger object (fog, shadow, gloom) enveloping something, or trapping an animal. Often used in 笼罩, the resultative verb form common in descriptive writing.
verb
to cover (with a cage-like object)to envelopto cage (an animal)to trap
Easily confused
Examples
- 笼。Wù qì lóng gài le zhěng gè shān gǔ.Fog enveloped the entire valley.
- 笼。Wù qì lóng gài le zhěng gè cūn zhuāng.Fog enveloped the entire village.
- 笼。Liè rén bǎ tù zi lóng le qǐ lái.The hunter caged the rabbit.
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.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 籠; 笼 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
龍
龍lóng籠lóng
Same sound today
The traditional form 籠 is built from 竹 (bamboo) and 龍, which gives the sound. The simplified 笼 is a later shorthand.
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