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灯笼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
灯笼dēnglonglanternHSK 6, n, rank #20246, Hard
dēnglong(deng1long5) T1
  1. 1lantern
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
灯笼(燈籠)dēnglong(deng1long5)

灯笼 (dēnglóng) refers to a lantern, typically used for illumination or decoration during festivals and celebrations. Commonly seen during the Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year, these lanterns can be made from various materials and come in different shapes and sizes, often symbolizing good fortune and brightness.

Frequency#20246DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 灯笼 is a significant symbol during the Lantern Festival, where families hang lanterns to celebrate and express wishes for the new year. The act of lighting and releasing lanterns is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Memory Tip

Imagine a glowing lantern (灯) lighting up the dark night (笼) like a warm hug. The character 灯 (dēng) resembles a light source, while 笼 (lóng) suggests a cage or enclosure that holds something. Visualize a beautiful lantern filled with light, creating a safe and inviting space.

Meanings of 灯笼

dēnglong(deng1long5)
1lantern
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 灯笼

灯笼Simplified
燈籠Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#20246Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 灯笼

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Podcast: 灯笼

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AI Study Notes for 灯笼

Quick Contrast

灯 (dēng) vs 灯笼 (dēnglong): use 灯笼 when referring specifically to a lantern, while 灯 is more general and can refer to any light source.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a glowing lantern (灯) lighting up the dark night (笼) like a warm hug. The character 灯 (dēng) resembles a light source, while 笼 (lóng) suggests a cage or enclosure that holds something. Visualize a beautiful lantern filled with light, creating a safe and inviting space.

Usage Notes

When using 灯笼, it is often paired with words like '挂' (to hang) or '制作' (to make). Be mindful of the tone; using a wrong tone could change the meaning completely. It's typically used in informal contexts related to festivals rather than in formal writing.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 灯笼 connects with other words related to festivals and celebrations like '春节' (Spring Festival) and '元宵节' (Lantern Festival). Focus on using it in context, particularly in discussing traditional Chinese celebrations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 灯笼 is a significant symbol during the Lantern Festival, where families hang lanterns to celebrate and express wishes for the new year. The act of lighting and releasing lanterns is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse it with '灯' (dēng), which means 'light' or 'lamp.' For example, saying '我喜欢灯' (I like light) instead of '我喜欢灯笼' (I like lantern) loses the specific meaning. Always clarify you are referring to a lantern.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 灯笼

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Component Characters

dēnglamp
HSK 36 strokes
View full entry
lóngbasket
11 strokes
View full entry

Write 灯笼

Practice writing 灯笼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 灯笼

灯笼 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

晚上点亮的____在黑暗中发出柔和的光。

The night lantern glowed softly in the darkness.

Example Sentences for 灯笼 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
晚上点亮的灯笼在黑暗中发出柔和的光。

wǎn shàng diǎn liàng de dēng lóng zài hēi àn zhōng fā chū róu hé de guāng。

The night lantern glowed softly in the darkness.
2
我连忙跳进去, 扯下灯笼上的毛巾, 我的妈呀, 我差点没被吓死. ”

wǒ lián máng tiào jìn qù, , chě xià dēng lóng shàng de máo, jīn , wǒ de, mā yā , wǒ chà diǎn méi.”

I hopped in, and shook off the towel, and, great Caesar's ghost! "

Cultural Notes for 灯笼

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 灯笼 is a significant symbol during the Lantern Festival, where families hang lanterns to celebrate and express wishes for the new year. The act of lighting and releasing lanterns is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 灯笼

Common types include paper lanterns, silk lanterns, and those made from bamboo and cloth, each varying in design and significance.