琳
jewel, tinkling of jewelry
JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- リン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
琳 centers on beautiful, precious stones and the delicate sound they make when they touch: a jewel or the tinkling of jewelry.
Most common words using 琳
Study
Etymology
琳 combines 王 (jade/jewel) with 林, which likely provides the sound リン and may also suggest a cluster of gems like a grove of trees.
Meaning mnemonic
The jewel radical 王 sits beside a grove of trees 林. Imagine a treasure hidden in a forest, its gems clinking softly like wind chimes.
Reading mnemonic
For リン, picture a ring of tiny jewels tinkling together: ring -> リン, and the sound matches the tinkling of jewelry.