灵

靈

líng

彐 + 火

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

líng (noun) spirit; soul

líng (adjective) quick; alert; clever

líng (adjective) efficacious; effective

líng (adjective) supernatural; magical

Etymology

Simplified form of 靈. Phonosemantic compound. 巫 represents the meaning and 霝 represents the sound.

Semantic: 火 Phonetic: 彐

About

The character 灵 (líng) is the simplified form of the traditional 靈, a phonosemantic compound that combines the semantic component 巫 (shaman) with the phonetic 霝 (líng). The traditional structure depicts a shaman chanting for rain, featuring 雨 (rain) and three 口 (mouths) above 巫, symbolizing divine connection. The simplified character replaces this with 彐 (jiè) on top and 火 (huǒ, fire) below. The meaning encompasses spirits, souls, and deities, later broadening to describe anything clever, agile, or mystically effective.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个玩具很灵活。

Zhège wánjù hěn línghuó.

This toy is very flexible.

她突然有了创作的灵感。

Tā tūrán yǒule chuàngzuò de línggǎn.

She suddenly had inspiration for creation.

小狗的嗅觉非常灵敏。

Xiǎogǒu de xiùjué fēicháng língmǐn.

A puppy's sense of smell is very keen.

人们相信灵魂是不朽的。

Rénmen xiāngxìn línghún shì bù xiǔ de.

People believe the soul is immortal.

这台机器今天失灵了。

Zhè tái jīqì jīntiān shīlíng le.

This machine malfunctioned today.

这个风景区充满了灵气。

Zhège fēngjǐngqū chōngmǎnle língqì.

This scenic area is full of a mystical aura.

灵芝是一种珍贵的药材。

Língzhī shì yī zhǒng zhēnguì de yàocái.

Ganoderma lucidum is a precious medicinal herb.

他头脑灵光，总能想出办法。

Tā tóunǎo língguāng, zǒng néng xiǎng chū bànfǎ.

His mind is sharp, and he can always figure out a way.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 彐

Component: 火

Example Words