垄

壟

lǒng

土 + 龙

Definitions

lǒng (noun) ridge between fields; crop row; grave mound

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 龙 represents the sound. Simplified form of 壟.

Semantic: 土 Phonetic: 龙

About

垄 is a phono-semantic compound with the earth radical 土 (tǔ) at the bottom, indicating its semantic field, and 龙 (lóng, dragon) at the top as the phonetic component. Its traditional form 壟 uses the full traditional dragon character 龍 above the same radical. Originally, it referred to an elevated ridge or mound of earth in a field, such as an agricultural embankment. This notion of occupying a commanding height later extended to an important economic meaning: a monopoly or cornering of a market, derived from controlling a central position.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

农民在田垄间劳作。

Nóngmín zài tiánlǒng jiān láozuò.

The farmers are working among the ridges in the field.

这片田垄很整齐。

Zhè piàn tiánlǒng hěn zhěngqí.

These ridges in the field are very neat.

这家公司垄断了市场。

Zhè jiā gōngsī lǒngduàn le shìchǎng.

This company has monopolized the market.

垄上的庄稼长势很好。

Lǒng shàng de zhuāngjia zhǎngshì hěn hǎo.

The crops on the ridges are growing very well.

技术垄断阻碍了创新。

Jìshù lǒngduàn zǔ'àile chuàngxīn.

Technological monopoly hinders innovation.

古代农民用垄作来增产。

Gǔdài nóngmín yòng lǒngzuò lái zēng chǎn.

Ancient farmers used ridge farming to increase production.

反垄断法是为了保护竞争。

Fǎn lǒngduàn fǎ shì wèile bǎohù jìngzhēng.

Anti-monopoly laws are designed to protect competition.

他试图在行业中形成垄断地位。

Tā shìtú zài hángyè zhōng xíngchéng lǒngduàn dìwèi.

He is trying to establish a monopoly position in the industry.

Related Characters

Component: 土

Component: 龙

垄