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March 24, 2026
另lìng(ling4)
The character 另 (lìng) primarily means 'other' or 'another.' It is often used to indicate something that is separate from what has already been mentioned. In various contexts, it can refer to an alternative option or a distinct category.
Strokes5Radical口Frequency#384DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'other' is often tied to collectivism, where alternatives are considered within the context of group harmony. This can be seen in decision-making processes where consensus is valued.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'link' (sounds like 'lìng') that connects two different paths. The character 另 resembles a person pointing to a different road, indicating that there's another choice available.
Meanings of 另
lìng(ling4)
1other
2another
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 另
另Simplified
5Strokes
口Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#384Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 另
Podcast: 另
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AI Study Notes for 另
Quick Contrast
另 (lìng) vs 其他 (qítā) — use 另 when emphasizing a distinct alternative, while 其他 refers to 'others' in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'link' (sounds like 'lìng') that connects two different paths. The character 另 resembles a person pointing to a different road, indicating that there's another choice available.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in overly casual conversations. Be mindful of its placement in sentences; for example, '另一个' (lìng yī gè) means 'another one.' Remember that it typically precedes the noun it modifies.
HSK Study Tips
Although 另 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above, as they begin to express comparisons and alternatives. Students should focus on its use in phrases and collocations to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'other' is often tied to collectivism, where alternatives are considered within the context of group harmony. This can be seen in decision-making processes where consensus is valued.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 另 with 其他 (qítā), which also means 'other' but is more general. For example, saying '我有其他问题' (Wǒ yǒu qítā wèntí) is correct, but using 另 here would be unnatural.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 另
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Grammar Patterns of 另
另 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). 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.
On May 1st the army took over another swathe of territory.
9
他走到床头柜的另一边关了灯。
tā zǒu dào chuáng tóu guì de lìng yī biān guān le dēng。
He crossed to the bedside table and put out the light.
10
船长在房间的另一头。
chuán cháng zài fáng jiān de lìng yī tóu。
The Captain was at the other end of the room.
Cultural Notes for 另
💡Did you know?
'另' is commonly used in phrases that emphasize variety or alternatives in Chinese culture, reflecting the value of choice and diversity in opinions.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'other' is often tied to collectivism, where alternatives are considered within the context of group harmony. This can be seen in decision-making processes where consensus is valued.
📜Proverb
A Chinese saying goes, '有选择才有自由' which means 'Having choices is having freedom'. This aligns well with the meaning of '另'.
Word Family of 另
Compounds4
别Bie2surname Bie
拐guai3to turn
柺
別bie2to separate, to distinguish, to classify; to leave; other; do not, must not
Words Containing This Character16
另lìngother
另外lìngwàiadditional
另一方面lìngyīfāngmiànon the other hand
另类offbeat另類
另行(to do sth) separately
另当别论to treat differently另當別論
另案another case (in law)
另辟蹊径to find an alternative另闢蹊徑
另起炉灶back to square one另起爐灶
另眼相看to treat sb favorably
另开to break up另開
另存为Save As ... (menu option in a software application)另存為
另册a blacklist of undesirables另冊
另请高明please find sb better qualified than me (idiom)另請高明
单另specially單另
另有企图to have an axe to grind (idiom)另有企圖
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 别 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 另
另 (lìng) focuses on the concept of 'another' or 'other' as a distinct option, while 其他 (qí tā) translates to 'other' or 'the rest' and refers to a broader group. Use 另 when you want to emphasize an alternative rather than a general category.
You can use 另 (lìng) in sentences to indicate alternatives, such as in '另一个' (lìng yī gè), meaning 'another one.' It can also be used to express separation, like '另行处理' (lìng xíng chǔ lǐ), meaning 'to handle separately.'
You can use 另 in formal writing or conversation when discussing alternatives, options, or distinctions. It's commonly used in legal or official documents to specify separate actions or clauses.
另 (lìng) means 'other' or 'another' in Chinese. It can also indicate separation or distinctness in certain contexts. It’s commonly used in phrases to signify alternative options or distinctions.
You can use it to present alternatives, for example, '我有另一个建议' (Wǒ yǒu lìng yī gè jiànyì) means 'I have another suggestion.'
While it can be used informally, it's more commonly found in written or formal contexts.
Yes, it can modify verbs to indicate an alternative action, such as '另行处理' (lìng xíng chǔlǐ) meaning 'to handle separately'.
