靈 (líng) - Spirit, soul & supernatural, divine

靈Tone 2

líng ｜ 24 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

靈 · líng

Spirit, soul;

supernatural, divine;

efficacious, effective;

clever, quick-witted;

relating to the supernatural realm.

Spirit, soulsupernatural, divineefficacious, effective

Usage highlights

Spirit, soulSpiritual energyEfficacious, effectiveClever, quickDeceased soulSpirit tablet

Synonyms

  • 神— god, deity, spirit
  • 魂— soul, spirit
  • 精— essence, spirit

Antonyms

  • 笨— stupid, dull
  • 拙— clumsy, awkward
  • 呆— dull, slow-witted

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The temple is said to be filled with spiritual energy (灵气).
  • This medicine is very effective (灵验).
  • She is a clever and quick-witted child (机灵).
  • We held a memorial ceremony for the deceased (亡灵).

Collocations

  • Spirit, soul(灵魂)
  • Spiritual energy(灵气)
  • Efficacious, effective(灵验)
  • Clever, quick-witted(机灵)
  • Deceased soul(亡灵)
  • Spirit tablet(灵位)

Idioms

  • Brilliant and full of ingenuity(心灵手巧)
  • The soul returns after death(魂灵出窍)
  • Extremely efficacious(灵丹妙药)
  • Heaven and earth, gods and spirits(天地神灵)
  • A flash of inspiration(灵机一动)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Daoist and folk religion, 灵 refers to spirits, deities, and supernatural efficacy.
  • Used in contexts of ancestral veneration and communication with the spirit world.
  • Implies intelligence, responsiveness, and effectiveness beyond the ordinary.

FAQ