伶

líng

noun #13,929

Meanings

1 (old) actor; actress
2 (literary, in compounds) clever

Characters

Examples

她伶牙俐齿，说话很厉害。

Tā língyálìchǐ, shuōhuà hěn lìhai.

She has a sharp tongue and speaks with great skill.

古代的伶人地位很低。

Gǔdài de língrén dìwèi hěn dī.

In ancient times, actors had very low social status.

Tips

usage

Mostly seen in set expressions: 伶俐 (clever/quick-witted), 伶牙俐齿 (sharp-tongued), 伶人 (actor in classical Chinese).

Stroke Order

伶 líng