铃 (líng) - bell & small bell

铃Tone 2

líng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

铃 · líng

bell;

small bell;

anything in the shape of a bell;

buzzer;

bicycle bell;

telephone bell.

bellsmall bellanything in the shape of a bell

Usage highlights

bicycle belldoorbellalarm bellwind chimebell towerbell sound

Synonyms

  • 钟— bell (usually larger)
  • 铛— clanging sound; small bell

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bicycle bell rings (自行车铃).
  • The telephone is ringing (电话铃响了).
  • The school bell signals the start of class (上课铃).
  • Wind chimes make a pleasant sound (风铃).

Collocations

  • bicycle bell(车铃)
  • doorbell(门铃)
  • alarm bell(警铃)
  • wind chime(风铃)
  • bell tower(铃铛塔)
  • bell sound(铃声)

Idioms

  • To ring a bell to announce the retreat(鸣金收兵)
  • To tie a bell to a tiger's tail(系铃解铃)
  • The sound of bells and drums(铃鼓之声)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Bells have been used in China since ancient times for rituals, timekeeping, and signaling.
  • Wind chimes (风铃) are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
  • In Buddhist temples, bells are used to mark time and call monks to prayer.

FAQ