伶

líng

亻 + 令

Definitions

líng (adjective) clever; quick-witted

líng (noun) actor; performer

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 令

About

The character 伶 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 亻 ('person') shows that the meaning involves a human occupation or personal quality, while the component 令 serves as the phonetic. Historically, it functioned as a specific noun for musicians, actors, and theatrical performers, particularly within the context of traditional performing arts and court entertainment. Later, it developed adjectival senses, describing a person as clever, bright, solitary, or nimble. In contemporary Chinese, it is most frequently encountered in compound words that convey sharpness of speech or a quick, witty intellect.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个小女孩很伶俐。

Zhè gè xiǎo nǚ hái hěn línglì.

This little girl is very clever.

他一个人孤苦伶仃。

Tā yī gè rén gūkǔ língdīng.

He is all alone and miserable.

那位伶人表演精彩。

Nà wèi língrén biǎoyǎn jīngcǎi.

That actor performed wonderfully.

她的回答显得十分伶俐。

Tā de huídá xiǎndé shífēn línglì.

Her answer seems very clever.

老人伶仃地住在小屋里。

Lǎorén língdīng de zhù zài xiǎo wū lǐ.

The old man lives alone in a small house.

那个伶人的故事很感人。

Nà gè língrén de gùshì hěn gǎnrén.

That actor's story is very touching.

尽管他孤苦伶仃，但他从不抱怨。

Jǐnguǎn tā gūkǔ língdīng, dàn tā cóng bù bàoyuàn.

Even though he is lonely and miserable, he never complains.

这个孩子不仅伶俐可爱，而且学习非常努力。

Zhè gè háizi bùjǐn línglì kě'ài, érqiě xuéxí fēicháng nǔlì.

This child is not only clever and lovely, but also studies very hard.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 令

伶