邻

鄰/隣

lín

令 + 阝

Frequency#1659

Definitions

lín (noun,adjective) neighbor; adjacent

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鄰.

Semantic: 阝 Phonetic: 令

About

The character for "neighbor", now simplified as "邻", derives from the traditional form "鄰", which structurally combines the left radical "阝", indicating a settlement or area, with the right component "粦", historically contributing to its pronunciation. In the simplified construction, "粦" was replaced by "令", which similarly guides the modern sound while maintaining the character's essential meaning of proximity. Originally denoting adjacent settlements or states in classical texts, the character's application gradually narrowed to refer specifically to a nearby person or place, and it continues to function in contemporary language within terms describing closeness or immediate vicinity.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是我的邻居。

Tā shì wǒ de línjū.

He is my neighbor.

我家邻居很友好。

Wǒ jiā línjū hěn yǒuhǎo.

My neighbor is very friendly.

中国有很多邻国。

Zhōngguó yǒu hěnduō lín guó.

China has many neighboring countries.

我的邻座同学在睡觉。

Wǒ de línzuò tóngxué zài shuìjiào.

My classmate sitting next to me is sleeping.

邻居帮助我找到了猫。

Línjū bāngzhù wǒ zhǎodàole māo.

The neighbor helped me find my cat.

我们和邻国关系很好。

Wǒmen hé línguó guānxì hěn hǎo.

We have good relations with the neighboring country.

邻家的小孩经常来玩。

Línjiā de xiǎohái jīngcháng lái wán.

The child from the neighboring family often comes to play.

相邻的两家公司正在合作。

Xiānglín de liǎng jiā gōngsī zhèngzài hézuò.

The two adjacent companies are collaborating.

Related Characters

Component: 令

Component: 阝

邻