灵

• Pinyin: líng
• Hanzi breakdown: 灵 = 巫 (shaman) + 雨 (rain) — spirit, effectiveness, nimble

Meaning

Nimble; clever; effective; spiritual. Describes something or someone that is quick, responsive, or effective.

Used to describe quick reactions, effective methods, or a sense of supernatural spirit. Common in both everyday and literary contexts. Appears in compounds like 灵活, 灵巧, and 心灵.

Examples

1. 这个孩子脑子特别灵，学什么都比同龄人快很多。 This kid is really quick—he picks things up much faster than others his age.
2. 这个偏方居然很灵，用了两天症状就消失了。 Surprisingly, this folk remedy worked; after two days, the symptoms were gone.
3. 老猎人的直觉出奇地灵，从未让他在山林中失手。 The old hunter’s instincts were remarkably sharp; he never missed in the mountains.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, literary

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个方法很灵，试试吧。(This method really works — give it a try.)
• 他的手脚特别灵，干活利落极了。(His hands and feet are especially nimble; he works with great efficiency.)

Don't Say

• 用'灵'形容大型机器 — 通常用'高效'或'精准'更恰当 (Don't describe heavy machinery as 灵 — use 高效 or 精准 instead)

Origin & History

灵 originally depicted a shaman performing rain rituals. Its meaning evolved to encompass spirit, soul, effectiveness, and nimbleness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal