菱 (líng) - Water caltrop — an aquatic plant producing edible & also refers to rhombus/diamond shape.

菱Tone 2

líng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

菱 · líng

Water caltrop — an aquatic plant producing edible nuts;

also refers to rhombus/diamond shape.

Water caltrop — an aquatic plant producing ediblealso refers to rhombus/diamond shape.

Usage highlights

Water caltropRhombus shapeCaltrop flowerCaltrop rootCaltrop pondCaltrop picking

Synonyms

  • 菱角— water caltrop (the fruit)
  • 菱形— rhombus/diamond shape

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The water caltrop (菱角) is a popular snack in Asia.
  • The geometric shape is a rhombus (菱形).
  • They harvested water chestnuts and caltrops (菱) from the pond.
  • This pattern has a diamond (菱) motif.

Collocations

  • Water caltrop(菱角)
  • Rhombus shape(菱形)
  • Caltrop flower(菱花)
  • Caltrop root(菱根)
  • Caltrop pond(菱塘)
  • Caltrop picking(采菱)

Idioms

  • Floating duckweed and water caltrops(浮萍浪菱)
  • Purple caltrops and red smartweed(紫菱红蓼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Water caltrops have been cultivated in China for over 3000 years as a food source.
  • The diamond/rhombus shape appears in traditional Chinese decorative patterns and textiles.
  • In Chinese poetry, caltrops often symbolize rustic, aquatic landscapes and simple rural life.

FAQ