菱

蔆
líng
夌 + 艹

Definitions

líng (noun) water caltrop

Etymology phono-semantic

grass

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 夌

About

The character 菱 is formed as a phono-semantic compound: the upper radical 艹 ('grass/plant') firmly places it within the world of plants, vegetation, herbs, and aquatic flora, while the lower element 夌 serves as the phonetic, giving the pronunciation 'ling'. The character originally refers to the water caltrop, an aquatic plant known for its floating leaves and for its hard-shelled, edible seeds that typically feature sharp, horn-like protrusions. Because the leaves and seeds of the water caltrop have a distinctive rhombus-like shape, 菱 is also frequently used in modern language to mean a rhombus or a diamond shape, especially in geometry and design.

Example Sentences Hide

这图形是菱形。

Zhè túxíng shì língxíng.

This shape is a rhombus.

艺术家画了一个菱形。

Yìshùjiā huà le yí gè língxíng.

The artist drew a rhombus.

池塘里种着许多菱角。

Chítáng lǐ zhòng zhe xǔduō língjiǎo.

There are many water caltrops planted in the pond.

我喜欢吃煮熟的菱角。

Wǒ xǐhuan chī zhǔ shú de língjiǎo.

I like to eat boiled water caltrops.

那片湖面漂着几片菱叶。

Nà piàn húmiàn piāo zhe jǐ piàn língyè.

A few water chestnut leaves are floating on that lake's surface.

她佩戴着一枚菱形的胸针。

Tā pèidài zhe yì méi língxíng de xiōngzhēn.

She is wearing a rhombus-shaped brooch.

这条裙子有菱格纹的图案。

Zhè tiáo qúnzi yǒu líng gé wén de tú'àn.

This dress has a diamond grid pattern.

菱花的倒影在波光中摇曳不定。

Línghuā de dàoyǐng zài bōguāng zhōng yáoyè bù dìng.

The reflection of the water chestnut flowers flickers unsteadily in the shimmering light.

Related Characters

Component: 夌

凌 陵 棱 绫 鲮 稜 睖 堎 崚 庱 淩 綾 踜 鯪

Component: 艹

英 花 落 节 苏 苦 若 药 获 范 著 艺 草 藏

Example Words

三菱 菱形 菱角