Learn a Chinese Character - 林

1. Character Basics

Radical: 木 (mù, wood/tree radical)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: lín (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Forest; woods; grove; plantation; thicket; cluster of trees; wooded area; timber; wood; jungle; copse; woodsland; forested region; trees growing together

4. Common Words

• 森林 (sēnlín) - forest
• 树林 (shùlín) - woods; grove
• 林业 (línyè) - forestry
• 林场 (línchǎng) - forest farm; timberland
• 林地 (líndì) - forest land; woodland
• 林带 (líndài) - forest belt
• 园林 (yuánlín) - garden; park
• 竹林 (zhúlín) - bamboo forest

5. Grammar & Usage

"林" is primarily used as a noun meaning "forest" or "woods". It is often used in compound words related to forests, trees, or wooded areas.

Common structures include "名+林" (noun + forest/woods), "林+名" (forest + noun), and "林+业" (forest + industry).

In literary contexts, it can be used metaphorically, such as "枪林弹雨" (a forest of guns and a shower of bullets) to describe a battlefield.

6. Cultural Background

Forests have played a significant role in Chinese culture and philosophy. The character "林" itself is composed of two "木" (tree) characters, symbolizing a collection of trees.

In Taoism, forests are often seen as places of retreat and spiritual practice, as they represent nature's harmony and tranquility.

Traditional Chinese painting frequently features forest scenes, and poetry often uses forests as metaphors for various aspects of life and nature. The importance of forests is also reflected in China's long history of forestry management and conservation efforts.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "林" is composed of two "木" (mù, tree) characters side by side.

You can remember it as "two trees (木木) growing together form a forest" or visualize a small forest with two trees, which directly connects to the meaning of woods or forest.

The repetition of the tree radical (木) is a key component to remember, as it reinforces the concept of multiple trees forming a wooded area.