零 (líng)

zero; nought; zero sign; fractional; fragmentary; odd (of numbers); (p

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "to fall (of rain/snow)". The meaning later shifted to "scattered", "fraction", and "zero".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“零，餘雨也。从雨，令聲。”

Original meaning

to fall (rain/snow)

Components

Example sentences

  1. 这是找零。 — Here's the change.
  2. 我没零钱。 — I don't have any change.
  3. 有零钱吗？ — Do you have any small change?
  4. 这是你零钱。 — Here is your change.
  5. 零在一前面。 — Zero comes before one.

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