零 (líng) — zero
HSK 1 | number | the digit zero; also used between digits in spoken numbers
零 (líng)
The number zero, used as a standalone digit and as a spoken placeholder between non-consecutive digits in larger numbers (e.g., 105 is 一百零五, not 一百五).
Meanings
- [number] Zero, the digit 0.
- [number] Odd/fractional remainder (used in compound numbers to bridge a gap: 一百零一 = 101).
Example Sentences
今天的气温是零下三度。 Jīntiān de qìwēn shì líng xià sān dù. Today's temperature is minus three degrees.
我的手机号码里有三个零。 Wǒ de shǒujī hàomǎ lǐ yǒu sān gè líng. My phone number contains three zeros.
这本书一百零五页。 Zhè běn shū yī bǎi líng wǔ yè. This book has one hundred and five pages.
他的成绩是零分。 Tā de chéngjì shì líng fēn. His score is zero points.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 零下 (líng xià) | below zero, sub-zero |
| 零食 (língshí) | snacks |
| 零钱 (língqián) | small change, loose coins |
| 一百零一 (yī bǎi líng yī) | one hundred and one (101) |
| 零点 (língdiǎn) | midnight; zero point |
| 零分 (líng fēn) | zero marks/score |
Memory Hook
零 sounds like "ling," which rhymes with "ring." A ring is a circle — just like the shape of zero (0). Picture a ring that has nothing inside it.