Definitions

líng (literary) to hear; to listen

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 聆, meaning to listen, is structured with the semantic component 耳 for ear and the phonetic component 令 for sound, a formation that directly links its meaning to hearing. Its etymology reflects this functional combination, and while the character has not undergone structural changes, its usage in classical contexts often denoted attentive listening or heeding, which continues in modern language where it primarily conveys focused auditory perception.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

听我的故事。

Qǐng língtīng wǒ de gùshì.

Please listen to my story.

听雨声。

Tā língtīng yǔshēng.

He listens to the sound of rain.

我们听自然的声音。

Wǒmen língtīng zìrán de shēngyīn.

We listen to the sounds of nature.

每天晚上她都听广播。

Měitiān wǎnshàng tā dōu língtīng guǎngbō.

Every evening she listens to the radio.

听他人意见能帮助我们成长。

Língtīng tārén yìjiàn néng bāngzhù wǒmen chéngzhǎng.

Listening to others' opinions can help us grow.

他恭敬地听了教授的教诲。

Tā gōngjìng de língtīng le jiàoshòu de jiàohuì.

He respectfully listened to the professor's teachings.

在会议上大家认真听了报告。

Zài huìyì shàng dàjiā rènzhēn língtīng le bàogào.

At the meeting, everyone seriously listened to the report.

听内心的声音才能找到真正的自己。

Língtīng nèixīn de shēngyīn cáinéng zhǎodào zhēnzhèng de zìjǐ.

Listening to the inner voice is how one can find the true self.