Definitions

líng (noun) water caltrop

Etymology phono-semantic

grass

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the grass radical atop signaling its botanical category and the phonetic component "夌" below, the character "菱" has historically referred to the water caltrop plant, an association maintained since its early recorded use. The semantic scope of the character later extended to describe the geometric shape of a rhombus, a meaning inspired by the angular form of the plant's fruit, illustrating a natural shift in application from a specific flora to an abstract geometric concept without alteration to its fundamental structure.

Example Sentences Hide

这图形是形。

Zhè túxíng shì língxíng.

This shape is a rhombus.

艺术家画了一个形。

Yìshùjiā huà le yí gè língxíng.

The artist drew a rhombus.

池塘里种着许多角。

Chítáng lǐ zhòng zhe xǔduō língjiǎo.

There are many water caltrops planted in the pond.

我喜欢吃煮熟的角。

Wǒ xǐhuan chī zhǔ shú de língjiǎo.

I like to eat boiled water caltrops.

那片湖面漂着几片叶。

Nà piàn húmiàn piāo zhe jǐ piàn língyè.

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

她佩戴着一枚形的胸针。

Tā pèidài zhe yì méi língxíng de xiōngzhēn.

She is wearing a rhombus-shaped brooch.

这条裙子有格纹的图案。

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

This dress has a diamond grid pattern.

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.