The Lim Name

Exploring the verified linguistic and cultural history of the surname Lim

Character Analysis

The Chinese character 林 (Lim) is composed of two 木 (wood/tree) characters. This is a pictographic representation of multiple trees, meaning "forest" or "woods."

Key facts about the character:

  • Single tree radical
  • Two trees forming "forest"

Character Classification

The character 林 is classified as an associative compound (会意) in the traditional Six Categories of Chinese Characters.

Verified Linguistic Forms

Chinese Languages

  • Mandarin: Lín
  • Hokkien: Lim
  • Teochew: Lim
  • Cantonese: Lam

Korean Form

  • Hangul: 임
  • Romanized: Im
  • Hanja: 林

Vietnamese Form

  • Modern: Lâm
  • Chữ Nôm: 林