铃

• Pinyin: líng
• Hanzi breakdown: 铃 = 钅(metal radical) + 令 (command/phonetic), a metal ringing device

Meaning

Bell; any device that makes a ringing sound. Includes doorbells, bicycle bells, and small bells.

A general term for bell-like objects that produce ringing sounds. Used in compounds like 门铃 (doorbell), 车铃 (bicycle bell), 铃声 (ringtone). Can refer to both traditional bells and electronic ringing devices.

Examples

1. 上课铃响了，同学们纷纷走进教室。 The class bell rang, and the students filed into the classroom.
2. 骑自行车的时候记得按铃提醒行人。 Remember to ring the bell to alert pedestrians when riding a bicycle.
3. 她在手腕上戴了一串小铃，走路时叮当作响。 She wears a string of small bells on her wrist that jingle when she walks.

Usage Guide

Context: school, everyday, bicycle

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 门铃响了，去开门吧。(The doorbell is ringing; go open the door.)
• 下课铃还没响呢。(The class bell hasn't rung yet.)

Don't Say

• 寺庙的铃很大。(For large temple bells, use 钟 — 铃 typically refers to smaller bells)

Origin & History

铃 combines 钅(metal) with 令 (ling, phonetic). A metal object that makes a ringing sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal