‘铃声’ (líng shēng) literally combines ‘铃’ (líng), meaning ‘bell’, and ‘声’ (shēng), meaning ‘sound’ or ‘voice’. Together, it refers to the sound produced by a bell — whether a physical bell in a school, temple, or doorbell, or, more commonly today, the customizable audio signal that plays when a phone call or message arrives (i.e., a ringtone). The term is neutral and widely used across both traditional and modern contexts.

While ‘铃声’ can describe any bell-like tone, its dominant contemporary usage is digital: people choose, download, or set ‘铃声’ on smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. It’s also used metaphorically in phrases like ‘上课铃声’ (the class-starting bell sound) or ‘闹钟铃声’ (alarm clock ringtone). Unlike the more technical term ‘提示音’ (tīshì yīn, ‘notification sound’), ‘铃声’ retains a gentle, familiar connotation — often implying melody or rhythm rather than a harsh beep.