鐘 / 钟
zhōng
In Chinese, the word for bell can be expressed as 鐘 / 钟 (zhōng) or 鈴 / 铃.
Meaning: percussive instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 鐘 / 钟 | zhōng |
| 鈴 / 铃 | líng |
Use 鐘 / 钟 when discussing large-scale musical instruments or historical bells.
Which one should you use?
The term 鐘 / 钟 refers to large, heavy bells or chimes, such as those found in temples or used as ceremonial instruments.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zhōng.
Did you know?
- The word 鈴 may be a linguistic relative of the English word 'rim', having been borrowed from it.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the sound of a temple 鐘 is believed to be so powerful that it can reach the ears of spirits and deities in the underworld.
- In ancient China, the 鐘 was not just a musical instrument but a critical part of the state ritual system. The number and size of bells in a set often signaled the rank and power of the owner.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bell” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鈴, 鐘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
