Lingnan
/ˈlɪŋ.nɑːn/noun
A historical and cultural region of southern China, broadly south of the Nanling Mountains.
Did you know?Lingnan historically included the ancient Baiyue region and developed distinctive Cantonese, Hakka, and Lingnan artistic and architectural traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
嶺南 (*reconstructed forms)
“The lands south of mountain ranges; an early geographic designation for southern China.”
6th–10th Century
Middle Chinese
嶺南 (Léng-nom)
“The region south of the mountain barrier, especially the Nanling range.”
7th–10th Century
Classical Chinese
嶺南
“A recognized administrative and cultural region of the Tang-era south.”
17th–19th Century
Cantonese/Chinese usage
Lingnaam / Lingnan
“Southern China, particularly the area associated with Guangdong and neighboring regions.”
20th Century
English
Lingnan
“A Chinese geographic and cultural term used in English scholarship and proper names.”
Modern English
English
Lingnan
“The historical-cultural region south of the Nanling Mountains, especially Guangdong and adjacent areas.”