Learn a Chinese Character - 灵

1. Character Basics

Radical: 火 (huǒ, fire radical)

Stroke Count: 7

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: líng (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Spirit; soul; intelligence; clever; smart; quick-witted; effective; effective; spiritual; supernatural; magical; agile; nimble; lively; vivid; acute; perceptive;灵感 (inspiration); 灵魂 (soul); 灵活 (flexible); 灵敏 (sensitive); 灵气 (spirituality); 灵芝 (ganoderma); 灵性 (spiritual nature); 灵通 (well-informed)

4. Common Words

• 灵活 (línghuó) - Flexible
• 灵魂 (línghún) - Soul
• 灵感 (línggǎn) - Inspiration
• 灵敏 (língmǐn) - Sensitive
• 灵气 (língqì) - Spirituality
• 灵芝 (língzhī) - Ganoderma
• 灵性 (língxìng) - Spiritual nature
• 灵通 (língtōng) - Well-informed

5. Grammar & Usage

As an adjective: Describes someone or something as clever, agile, or sensitive. As a noun: Refers to spirit, soul, or inspiration. Often used in compound words related to intelligence, spirituality, or agility.

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, "灵" (líng) carries significant meaning across various traditions. In Taoism, it represents the spiritual essence or soul that connects all living things. In traditional Chinese medicine, it relates to the concept of "vital energy" (气, qì) and spiritual well-being. The character also appears in many cultural expressions, such as "心灵" (xīnlíng, heart/mind) and "灵气" (língqì, spiritual aura), reflecting the importance of spiritual awareness in Chinese philosophy.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 灵 consists of 雨 (yǔ, rain) above and 火 (huǒ, fire) below. Imagine rain nourishing a fire, symbolizing the spark of spiritual energy or inspiration emerging from nature's elements. The combination represents the connection between heaven (rain) and earth (fire), embodying the concept of spiritual intelligence.