灯

dēng · dang1

lamp; light

Where it comes from

The traditional form 燈 is a meaning-and-sound character: 火, “fire,” gives the meaning category, while 登 mainly supplies the sound. Simplified 灯 keeps the fire side and replaces the complex sound component with 丁. This character is not an oracle-bone drawing of a lantern. The ancient-form-inspired sketch therefore places a flame-like fire sign beside a compact, vessel-like 登 structure without claiming one exact early inscription.

A piece of culture

Lights for a festive night
灯笼 / 燈籠 means “lantern.” Lanterns appear in many Chinese celebrations, especially the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Shapes and customs vary, but a glowing lantern can turn an evening street, temple or family gathering into a shared festive scene.

Use it in a real word

灯笼 / 燈籠

dēnglong · dang1 lung4

lantern

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More characters

旅圆 ···