HSK · Level 103
45 words
Chinese word
灵
Pronunciation
Pinyinlíng
Meaning
- adjectiveeffective
Example
这个药很灵。zhè ge yào hěn líng
This medicine works very well.
More examples
她尝试了很多办法，只有这种偏方最灵。tā cháng shì le hěn duō bàn fǎ zhí yǒu zhè zhǒng piān fāng zuì líng
She tried many methods, but only this folk remedy worked best.
Core concept
A spirit-like force that responds readily and makes something work.
Common phrases
灵验líng yàn
effective
Similar words
有效yǒu xiào: Having the ability or qualities needed to produce the intended effect.
灵验líng yàn: Often producing the expected result when actually put to use.
立竿见影lì gān jiàn yǐng: Producing a clear effect almost immediately, so the result can be seen at once.
Definition in Chinese
用于形容事物能迅速产生预期的作用或效果，侧重于体验层面的有效性，常在口语中出现。yòng yú xíng róng shì wù néng xùn sù chǎn shēng yù qī de zuò yòng huò xiào guǒ cè zhòng yú tǐ yàn céng miàn de yǒu xiào xìng cháng zài kóu yǔ zhōng chū xiàn
Word origin
灵 (líng, "spirit") developed from the idea of spiritual power that responds to people, then came to describe anything that seems to work quickly and well.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this adjective often reports a speaker's experience rather than a tested product claim, so formal medical or technical writing usually uses more precise wording.
Other meanings
- spiritnoun
Opposites
- 无用wú yònguselessadjective
Related words
- 灵感líng gǎninspirationnoun
- 灵魂líng húnsoulnoun
- 灵敏líng mǐnsensitiveadjective