灯笼 dēnglong lantern
How to remember 灯笼: 灯 lamp + 笼 basket = lantern.
Characters
How it is used
- A lantern - 红灯笼 (hóng dēnglong) red lantern, 挂灯笼 (guà dēnglong) hang lanterns.
- The traditional paper/silk lantern, iconic of festivals like Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.
- Note the neutral tone dēnglong. Culturally symbolic of celebration and good fortune.