凛 (lǐn) - cold & frigid

凛Tone 3

lǐn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

凛 · lǐn

cold;

frigid;

severe;

strict;

awe-inspiring;

stern;

to shiver with cold or fear

coldfrigidsevere

Usage highlights

bitterly coldstern expressionawecold windstern and imposingcold and severe

Synonyms

  • 寒— cold (temperature)
  • 冷— cold (temperature/feeling)
  • 严— strict, severe
  • 威— majestic, imposing

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The winter wind is bitterly cold (寒风凛冽).
  • He maintained a stern expression (神色凛然).
  • The hero's awe-inspiring righteousness (凛凛正气).
  • I shivered in the cold (凛凛寒风).

Collocations

  • bitterly cold(凛冽)
  • stern expression(凛然)
  • awe-inspiring(凛凛)
  • cold wind(凛风)
  • stern and imposing(凛凛威风)
  • cold and severe(凛厉)

Idioms

  • Majestic and awe-inspiring(威风凛凛)
  • Stern righteousness(大义凛然)
  • Cold wind biting(寒风凛冽)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used to describe both physical coldness and moral sternness or awe-inspiring dignity.
  • In traditional Chinese aesthetics, conveys a sense of unyielding moral integrity and heroic bearing.
  • Commonly appears in descriptions of heroic figures, harsh weather, and solemn atmospheres.

FAQ