棱

稜

lēng, léng, líng

夌 + 木

Definitions

léng (noun) edge; corner; ridge

léng (noun) beam (in construction)

Etymology phono-semantic

wood

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 夌

About

The character 棱 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 木 (wood or tree) on the left, indicating its original connection to wooden objects or carpentry. The right component 夌 provides the phonetic element for pronunciation. The core meaning refers to a prominent edge, sharp ridge, or distinct corner, describing the angular intersections on objects like a table’s edge, mountain ridges, or the faces of a geometric prism. By extension, it can also metaphorically describe a stern or imposing human demeanor.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个盒子有棱角。

Zhè ge hézi yǒu léngjiǎo.

This box has edges and corners.

小心别碰到桌子的棱。

Xiǎoxīn bié pèng dào zhuōzi de léng.

Be careful not to hit the edge of the table.

那块水晶有很多棱面。

Nà kuài shuǐjīng yǒu hěn duō léngmiàn.

That crystal has many facets.

建筑师设计了棱柱形的建筑。

Jiànzhùshī shèjì le léngzhù xíng de jiànzhù.

The architect designed a prism-shaped building.

阳光透过三棱镜分成七色光。

Yángguāng tòu guò sānléngjìng fēn chéng qī sè guāng.

Sunlight passes through a prism and splits into seven colors of light.

这块宝石的棱角已经被磨平了。

Zhè kuài bǎoshí de léngjiǎo yǐjīng bèi mó píng le.

The edges and corners of this gemstone have been polished smooth.

在几何学中，棱锥是一种常见的立体图形。

Zài jǐhéxué zhōng, léngzhuī shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn de lìtǐ túxíng.

In geometry, a pyramid is a common three-dimensional shape.

现代雕塑家喜欢使用棱角分明的线条来创作。

Xiàndài diāosùjiā xǐhuān shǐyòng léngjiǎo fēnmíng de xiàntiáo lái chuàngzuò.

Modern sculptors like to use sharp, clear lines in their creations.

Related Characters

Component: 夌

Component: 木

棱