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March 24, 2026
零星língxīng(ling2xing1)
零星 (língxīng) refers to things that are scattered or fragmentary, often used to describe occurrences that are sporadic or not substantial. It can apply to various contexts such as weather conditions, information, or small items that are not part of a larger set.
Frequency#28475DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of零星 can often relate to the way information is shared in society, where news can come in bits and pieces, reflecting a sometimes fragmented communication style.
Memory Tip
Imagine a starry night where the stars are零 (líng), meaning 'zero', and they appear in a scattered manner. Each star is like a fragment, representing零星 (língxīng), which helps you remember that it means 'bits and pieces' or 'sporadic' occurrences.
Meanings of 零星
língxīng(ling2xing1)
1fragmentary
2random
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 零星
零星Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#28475Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 零星
Podcast: 零星
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AI Study Notes for 零星
Quick Contrast
零散 (língsàn) refers to things that are scattered but often implies a lack of organization or cohesion, while 零星 (língxīng) emphasizes the sporadic or occasional nature of occurrences.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a starry night where the stars are零 (líng), meaning 'zero', and they appear in a scattered manner. Each star is like a fragment, representing零星 (língxīng), which helps you remember that it means 'bits and pieces' or 'sporadic' occurrences.
Usage Notes
零星 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious of its nuanced use related to quantity. Common collocations include 零星的消息 (sporadic news) and 零星的雨 (light rain). Misplacing it in a sentence may lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 零星 connects with other advanced vocabulary that conveys similar themes of fragmentation or randomness. Students should focus on its usage in different contexts, especially in writing and formal speech.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of零星 can often relate to the way information is shared in society, where news can come in bits and pieces, reflecting a sometimes fragmented communication style.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 零星 with 零碎 (língsuì), which means 'fragmented' but typically refers to physical objects. For example, saying '零星的碎片' (língxīng de suìpiàn) instead of '零碎的碎片' (língsuì de suìpiàn) is incorrect, as it mixes meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 零星
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Grammar Patterns of 零星
零星 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
今天下午天气晴好，间有____阵雨。
There'll be bright or sunny spells and scattered showers this afternoon.
There'll be bright or sunny spells and scattered showers this afternoon.
2
他打量着吧台那边零星的几个顾客。
tā dǎ liáng zháo bā tái nà biān líng xīng de jī gè gù kè。
He surveyed the handful of custo-mers at the bar.
3
他只能零星地听懂一两个单词。
tā zhī néng líng xīng dì tīng dǒng yī liǎng gè dān cí。
He could only understand a word here and there.
4
除了一些零星的抵抗外，部队已控制了城市。
chú le yī xiē líng xīng de dǐ kàng wài， ， bù duì yǐ kòng zhì le chéng。
The army controls the city apart from a few pockets of resistance.
5
除了一些零星的情况外，我什么也不知道。
chú le yī xiē líng xīng de qíng kuàng wài， ， wǒ shí mó yě bù zhī。
I knew nothing beyond a few random facts.
6
他们现在已经远离了最远的零星分布的郊区了。
tā mén xiàn zài yǐ jīng yuǎn lí le zuì yuǎn de líng xīng fēn bù de jiāo qū le。
They were beyond the last straggling suburbs now.
7
在巴利阿里群岛上，零星散布在岛内的村庄和那里的生活平静而祥和。
zài bā lì ā lǐ qún dǎo shàng， ， líng xīng sàn bù zài dǎo nèi de cūn zhuāng hé nà lǐ de shēng huó píng jìng ér xiáng。
In the Balearics pockets of rural life and inland villages are undisturbed.
Cultural Notes for 零星
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of零星 can often relate to the way information is shared in society, where news can come in bits and pieces, reflecting a sometimes fragmented communication style.
Frequently Asked Questions about 零星
In everyday conversation, 零星 can refer to small amounts of something that are not continuous, such as light rain or scattered news.
Yes, but it's less common; it is typically used for objects or occurrences rather than for describing people.
The correct pronunciation is 'líng xīng', with the second syllable having a high and level tone.
