翎

líng

令 + 羽

Definitions

líng tail feathers; plume

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 羽 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound.

Semantic: 羽 Phonetic: 令

About

翎 (líng) is a phono-semantic compound designating a feather, particularly a large, stiff one from a bird's tail or wing. Its right side carries the semantic radical 羽 (yǔ), a pictograph of feathers and wings that ties the character to avian anatomy. The left side holds the phonetic 令 (lìng), which dictates the pronunciation. Beyond its zoological meaning, 翎 acquired a specialized historical use: in official uniforms, stiff tail feathers (often from peacocks) were fastened to hats as markers of rank within the imperial bureaucracy.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这根羽毛很漂亮。

Zhè gēn yǔmáo hěn piǎoliang.

This feather is very beautiful.

鸟的翎羽在阳光下闪光。

Niǎo de língyǔ zài yángguāng xià shǎnguāng.

The bird's plumage glitters in the sunlight.

他帽子上的孔雀翎很显眼。

Tā màozi shàng de kǒngquè líng hěn xiǎnyǎn.

The peacock feather on his hat is very eye-catching.

这件戏服用彩色翎毛装饰。

Zhè jiàn xìfú yòng cǎisè língmáo zhuāngshì.

This stage costume is decorated with colored plumes.

古代官员的帽饰会用花翎。

Gǔdài guānyuán de mào shì huì yòng huālíng.

Ancient officials' hat ornaments would use peacock feathers.

她用翠鸟的翎羽制作工艺品。

Tā yòng cuìniǎo de língyǔ zhìzuò gōngyìpǐn.

She uses kingfisher feathers to make handicrafts.

雄鸟的尾翎通常更加华丽。

Xióng niǎo de wěi líng tōngcháng gèngjiā huálì.

The tail feathers of male birds are usually more magnificent.

博物馆展出了一顶清朝的翎冠。

Bówùguǎn zhǎnchūle yī dǐng Qīngcháo de líng guān.

The museum displayed a Qing dynasty feathered crown.

Related Characters

Component: 令

Component: 羽

翎