Definitions

lǎng (adjective) clear; bright

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "朗" is structured from the phonetic component 良, which provides its sound, alongside the semantic component 月, meaning moon, which conveys its core meaning of brightness and clarity. Its traditional form remains identical, written as 朗, and it originally described the quality of moonlight, specifically its luminous and clear appearance in the night sky. Over time, this meaning of luminous clarity extended beyond the visual realm to describe auditory qualities, giving rise to the sense of a clear, resonant voice or sound, as in reading aloud. Furthermore, the concept evolved metaphorically to describe a person’s character or demeanor, implying an openness and brightness of spirit that is both transparent and cheerful.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在读课文。

Tā zài lǎngdú kèwén.

He is reading the text aloud.

今天天气晴

Jīntiān tiānqì qínglǎng.

The weather is sunny today.

她的笑声很开

Tā de xiàoshēng hěn kāilǎng.

Her laughter is very cheerful.

的读书声传来。

Lǎnglǎng de dúshū shēng chuán lái.

The sound of clear reading comes.

他性格开,人缘很好。

Tā xìnggé kāilǎng, rényuán hěn hǎo.

He has a cheerful personality and is very popular.

的夜晚可以看到星星。

Qínglǎng de yèwǎn kěyǐ kàn dào xīngxing.

On a clear night, you can see stars.

老师要求我们大声读。

Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen dàshēng lǎngdú.

The teacher requires us to read aloud loudly.

的月光下,他漫步思考。

Zài lǎnglǎng de yuèguāng xià, tā mànbù sīkǎo.

Under the bright moonlight, he strolls and thinks.