Definitions

lóng (noun,adjective) dragon; imperial

Etymology

Pictograph of a dragon curled up. The simplified character was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character .

About

is the simplified counterpart of the complex traditional character . The traditional form was a detailed pictograph of a dragon curled up, often depicted with a horned head, sinuous body, and scales. The simplified was adapted from the cursive script of , condensing its right side into a flowing curve that only faintly suggests the original creature's silhouette. In meaning, it refers to the auspicious, water-controlling dragon of East Asian lore, fundamentally different from destructive Western dragons. By extension, it embodies imperial authority, the emperor, masculine vitality, and outstanding human excellence.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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 Xin dynasty (9-23 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 Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

非常大。

Kǒnglóng fēicháng dà.

Dinosaurs are very big.

孩子们喜欢恐

Háizimen xǐhuān kǒnglóng.

Children like dinosaurs.

我喜欢吃虾。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī lóngxiā.

I like to eat lobster.

舟比赛很热闹。

Lóngzhōu bǐsài hěn rènào.

Dragon boat races are very lively.

卷风非常危险。

Lóngjuǎnfēng fēicháng wēixiǎn.

Tornadoes are very dangerous.

我们在博物馆看到恐化石。

Wǒmen zài bówùguǎn kàndào kǒnglóng huàshí.

We saw dinosaur fossils in the museum.

如果看到卷风,就要赶紧躲避。

Rúguǒ kàndào lóngjuǎnfēng, jiù yào gǎnjǐn duǒbì.

If you see a tornado, you must quickly take shelter.

中国古代皇帝常以象征权力。

Zhōngguó gǔdài huángdì cháng yǐ lóng xiàngzhēng quánlì.

In ancient China, emperors often used the dragon as a symbol of power.