B1 adjective Neutral 1 min read

灵验

lingyan /liŋ²¹⁴ jɛn²¹⁴/

The word '灵验' denotes something that is remarkably effective, especially in contexts involving faith, tradition, or wishes.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Highly effective, producing desired results.
  • Often implies efficacy in prayers or traditional remedies.
  • Used when something works exceptionally well.

Overview

“灵验” (língyàn) 是一个形容词,用来描述某事物(通常是祈祷、药物、方法、仪式等)非常有效,能够产生预期的、令人满意的结果。这个词带有一定的神秘感或信仰色彩,尤其是在描述祈求神明保佑或使用传统疗法时。

“灵验”通常用作谓语或定语。作为谓语时,它后面可以跟“得很”、“极了”等表示程度的副词。作为定语时,它修饰名词,如“灵验的药方”、“灵验的祈祷”。它也可以用于“某某很灵验”的句式中。

这个词最常出现在与宗教信仰、传统医学、民间习俗和个人经历相关的语境中。例如,人们会说“观音菩萨很灵验”,或者“这个偏方很灵验,我的病很快就好了”。在描述一些新方法或产品时,如果它们出乎意料地有效,也可能用到“灵验”,但这种情况相对较少,且可能带有一点夸张的意味。

与“有效” (yǒuxiào) 相比,“灵验”更侧重于一种超乎寻常或经过验证的有效性,常带有信仰或神秘色彩。“管用” (guǎnyòng) 是一个更口语化的词,意思与“有效”相近,但不如“灵验”那样强调效果的显著或神奇。“见效” (jiànxiào) 强调的是效果的显现速度,而不是效果本身是否显著或神奇。

例如:

**有效**

这个药对缓解疼痛很有效。(This medicine is effective for relieving pain.) - 强调药的作用。

**灵验**

我去庙里求了签,据说很灵验。/ 这个偏方很灵验,我的咳嗽好了。(I went to the temple to draw a fortune stick, which is said to be very efficacious. / This folk remedy is very effective, and my cough is gone.) - 强调祈祷或偏方的神奇效果。

**管用**

别担心,这个方法肯定管用。(Don't worry, this method will definitely work.) - 口语化,强调方法可行。

**见效**

这个药见效很快。(This medicine takes effect quickly.) - 强调速度。

Examples

1

我妈妈用的那个治疗失眠的偏方很灵验。

everyday

The folk remedy my mom uses to treat insomnia is very effective.

2

据说,在特定节日向这位神明祈祷会非常灵验。

formal

It is said that praying to this deity on specific festivals is highly efficacious.

3

试了好多方法都不行,最后这个方法还挺灵验的!

informal

I tried many methods, but none worked. Finally, this one turned out to be quite effective!

4

古代医书记载了许多据称十分灵验的药方。

academic

Ancient medical texts recorded many prescriptions that were claimed to be highly efficacious.

Common Collocations

很灵验 very efficacious/effective
非常灵验 extremely efficacious/effective
灵验的药方 efficacious prescription
祈祷很灵验 prayers are efficacious

Common Phrases

很灵验

very efficacious

祈祷灵验

prayers are efficacious

药方灵验

prescription is efficacious

Often Confused With

灵验 vs 有效

'有效' (yǒuxiào) is a general term for 'effective' or 'valid'. '灵验' (língyàn) is a stronger term, often implying a remarkable or almost magical effectiveness, particularly in contexts of faith, prayers, or traditional remedies.

灵验 vs 管用

'管用' (guǎnyòng) is a colloquial term meaning 'works' or 'useful'. It's similar to '有效' but less formal. '灵验' carries a stronger sense of proven, often surprising, efficacy.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + 很/非常 + 灵验 (e.g., 这个药方很灵验) 灵验 + 的 + Noun (e.g., 灵验的祈祷) 某物 + 灵验 (e.g., 他的方法很灵验)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The term '灵验' is often used in contexts involving belief systems, traditional medicine, or personal anecdotes where results are perceived as exceptionally good. While it implies effectiveness, it carries a connotation that goes beyond simple functionality, touching upon faith or a proven track record.


Common Mistakes

Learners might overuse '灵验' in purely scientific or technical contexts where '有效' (effective) or '可行' (feasible) would be more appropriate. It's also important to distinguish it from '见效' (takes effect quickly), which focuses on speed rather than the degree of effectiveness.

Tips

💡

Focus on Efficacy and Belief

Remember '灵验' emphasizes not just effectiveness, but often a sense of proven success, especially with faith or tradition.

⚠️

Avoid Overuse in Science

While it means effective, using '灵验' for scientific results might sound superstitious or informal.

🌍

Connection to Wishes

This word is often linked to prayers answered or wishes granted, reflecting cultural beliefs in the supernatural or powerful remedies.

Word Origin

The word '灵验' combines '灵' (líng), meaning spirit, soul, or efficacious, and '验' (yàn), meaning to test, verify, or prove. Together, they signify something that has been proven to be spiritually effective or remarkably successful.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, the concept of '灵验' is tied to beliefs in divine intervention, the efficacy of traditional remedies, and the power of wishes. It reflects a worldview where certain practices or appeals can yield tangible, often extraordinary, results.

Memory Tip

Think of '灵' (líng) as 'spiritual' or 'miraculous' and '验' (yàn) as 'tested' or 'proven'. So, '灵验' means proven to have miraculous or spiritual effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“有效”是一个更普遍的词,指事物能达到预期效果。“灵验”则更进一步,常用于祈祷、药方或方法,暗示其效果非常显著,甚至有些神奇或超乎寻常,常带有信仰色彩。

“灵验”通常用在描述祈祷、神明、药方、偏方、方法、指示、咒语等名词前面,这些事物往往与信仰、传统或解决特定问题相关。

“灵验”本身没有负面含义,它总是表示积极的效果。但如果过分迷信或夸大其词,可能会被认为是不理性的。

在描述宗教信仰、传统疗法或个人经历时,“灵验”仍然常用。但在描述科学技术或日常事务时,人们更倾向于使用“有效”或“管用”等词。

Test Yourself

fill blank

据说这座庙里的神明非常______,很多人去那里祈福。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 灵验

这里描述的是神明的祈祷效果,带有信仰色彩,因此“灵验”最合适。

multiple choice

“这个偏方很灵验”中的“灵验”是什么意思?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 非常有效,效果显著

“灵验”的核心意思是效果非常好,达到了预期的显著结果。

sentence building

请用“灵验”,“药方”,“这个”,“很”这几个词语组成一个通顺的句子。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这个药方很灵验。

“这个药方很灵验”是一个主谓宾结构清晰、符合语法的句子,表达了药方的有效性。

Score: /3

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