琳

lín

林 + 王

Definitions

lín (noun) gem; precious stone

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 林 represents the sound.

Semantic: 王 Phonetic: 林

About

琳 (lín) is a phonosemantic compound: the semantic component 王, a combining form of 玉 (jade), indicates a precious stone, while 林 (lín) provides the sound. Originally referring to a type of beautiful, high-quality jade or gemstone, the character's associations with elegance and value later made it a popular choice for personal names, symbolizing purity and refined beauty.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

琳喜欢读书。

Lín xǐhuān dúshū.

Lin likes to read books.

张琳是我的同学。

Zhāng Lín shì wǒ de tóngxué.

Zhang Lin is my classmate.

李琳每天练习钢琴。

Lǐ Lín měitiān liànxí gāngqín.

Li Lin practices piano every day.

你认识王琳吗？

Nǐ rènshi Wáng Lín ma?

Do you know Wang Lin?

琳和她的朋友一起去公园。

Lín hé tā de péngyou yīqǐ qù gōngyuán.

Lin and her friends go to the park together.

如果琳有空，她会来参加聚会。

Rúguǒ Lín yǒu kòng, tā huì lái cānjiā jùhuì.

If Lin is free, she will come to the party.

琳穿着一件漂亮的连衣裙。

Lín chuānzhe yī jiàn piàoliang de liányīqún.

Lin is wearing a beautiful dress.

尽管琳很忙，但她仍然坚持学习中文。

Jǐnguǎn Lín hěn máng, dàn tā réngrán jiānchí xuéxí Zhōngwén.

Although Lin is very busy, she still persists in learning Chinese.

Related Characters

Component: 林

Component: 王

琳