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March 24, 2026
冷lěng(leng3)
The character 冷 (lěng) primarily means 'cold' or 'cool.' It is commonly used to describe low temperatures, such as weather conditions or food. Additionally, it can convey feelings of loneliness or emotional coldness in certain contexts.
Strokes7Radical冫Frequency#1231DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of coldness is often associated with winter festivals, such as the Dongzhi Festival, where families gather to eat dumplings and celebrate the return of longer days after the cold.
Memory Tip
Imagine a penguin shivering in the cold (冷). The left side of the character looks like a person (亻) feeling chilly, while the right side (冷) resembles cold air blowing around them. This imagery connects both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 冷
lěng(leng3)
1cold
2cold, cool; lonely
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About 冷
冷Simplified
7Strokes
冫Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1231Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 冷
Podcast: 冷
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AI Study Notes for 冷
Quick Contrast
冷 (lěng) vs 凉 (liáng): Use 冷 for very low temperatures or emotional coldness, while 凉 is more about a coolness that is refreshing or mildly cold.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a penguin shivering in the cold (冷). The left side of the character looks like a person (亻) feeling chilly, while the right side (冷) resembles cold air blowing around them. This imagery connects both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 冷 with 热 (rè), which means 'hot.' This word is generally used in informal contexts, especially when describing weather or temperature. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 冷 connects with other basic adjectives describing sensations or feelings, such as 热 (hot) and 温暖 (warm). Focus on using it in simple sentences to describe weather or personal feelings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of coldness is often associated with winter festivals, such as the Dongzhi Festival, where families gather to eat dumplings and celebrate the return of longer days after the cold.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 冷 (lěng) to mean 'cool' in a fashionable sense, which is incorrect. For instance, saying '这件衣服很冷' (Zhè jiàn yīfú hěn lěng) to mean 'This clothes is cool' should instead use 酷 (kù) for 'cool' in style.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 冷
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Grammar Patterns of 冷
冷 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
This could have been one of the coldest golf tournaments on record.
10
雾蒙蒙的寒冷空气使他脸上感觉很舒爽。
wù mēng mēng de hán lěng kōng qì shǐ tā liǎn shàng gǎn jué hěn shū shuǎng。
The cold, misty air felt wonderful on his face.
Cultural Notes for 冷
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of coldness is often associated with winter festivals, such as the Dongzhi Festival, where families gather to eat dumplings and celebrate the return of longer days after the cold.
