怜

憐

lián

令 + 忄

Definitions

lián (verb) to pity; to feel sorry for

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound. Simplified form of 憐.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 令

About

怜 is a simplified character, originally written as 憐. It combines the heart radical 忄 (meaning) with 令 (sound), forming a phonosemantic compound. The heart radical signals that the character relates to emotions, while 令 provides the pronunciation. The core meaning is pity or compassion for others' suffering, but it can also convey tender affection and cherishing, especially for someone vulnerable or in need of protection.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个小狗很可怜。

Zhè gè xiǎo gǒu hěn kělián.

This little dog is pitiful.

我怜悯那个孩子。

Wǒ liánmǐn nà gè háizi.

I pity that child.

请不要怜悯我。

Qǐng bùyào liánmǐn wǒ.

Please do not pity me.

她充满怜爱地看着他。

Tā chōngmǎn lián'ài de kànzhe tā.

She looks at him with full of affection.

他对动物总是充满怜惜之情。

Tā duì dòngwù zǒngshì chōngmǎn liánxī zhī qíng.

He always has a feeling of compassion for animals.

她的眼中流露出深深的怜悯。

Tā de yǎn zhōng liúlù chū shēnshēn de liánmǐn.

Her eyes show deep compassion.

虽然他很可怜，但我不能帮助他。

Suīrán tā hěn kělián, dàn wǒ bùnéng bāngzhù tā.

Although he is pitiful, I cannot help him.

在悲剧面前，我们不禁心生怜悯。

Zài bēijù miànqián, wǒmen bùjìn xīnshēng liánmǐn.

In the face of tragedy, we cannot help but feel compassion.

Related Characters

Component: 令

Component: 忄

怜