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March 24, 2026
例lì(li4)
The character 例 (lì) primarily means 'example' or 'precedent.' It is commonly used in contexts where one wishes to illustrate a point or provide a reference for comparison. In legal or formal settings, it can refer to regulations or cases that set a standard.
Strokes8Radical亻Frequency#7109DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, the use of 例 is crucial for teaching. Teachers often emphasize examples to clarify concepts, making it an integral part of the learning process in both formal and informal settings.
Memory Tip
Think of 例 (lì) as a 'list of examples.' The left side resembles a person (亻) standing with a book (例), indicating that they are referencing examples from a text. Remember the pronunciation 'lì' by associating it with 'lit' as in 'lit examples' that shine light on a subject.
Meanings of 例
lì(li4)
1example
2precedent
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 例
例Simplified
8Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7109Frequency Rank
Podcast: 例
Podcast: 例
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AI Study Notes for 例
Quick Contrast
例 (lì) vs 示例 (shìlì) — use 例 (lì) for a general example or precedent, while 示例 (shìlì) is more specific to illustrative examples.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 例 with similar characters like 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason.' In formal contexts, 例 is often used in phrases like 例如 (lì rú), meaning 'for example.' The tone is critical; ensure you use the fourth tone to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Though 例 is not included in HSK levels, it connects well with HSK vocabulary about examples and comparisons. Students should focus on its use in phrases and with other characters that convey similar meanings, like 示例 (shì lì), meaning 'sample.'
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 例 with 例子 (lì zi), mistakenly thinking they can use 例 alone in all contexts. Remember, 例 specifically means 'precedent' or 'rule' while 例子 is 'example.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 例
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How Well Do You Know 例?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 例 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
例 = 亻 + 列. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 例
IDS Structure⿰亻列
例Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
列lie4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 例?
How to say example in Chinese
“example” in Chinese is例lì
The character 例 (lì) primarily means 'example' or 'precedent.' It is commonly used in contexts where one wishes to illustrate a point or provide a reference for comparison. In legal or formal settings, it can refer to regulations or cases that set a standard.
When to use 例
Be careful not to confuse 例 with similar characters like 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason.' In formal contexts, 例 is often used in phrases like 例如 (lì rú), meaning 'for example.' The tone is critical; ensure you use the fourth tone to avoid misunderstandings.
例 or something close to it
例 (lì) vs 示例 (shìlì) — use 例 (lì) for a general example or precedent, while 示例 (shìlì) is more specific to illustrative examples.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 例 with 例子 (lì zi), mistakenly thinking they can use 例 alone in all contexts. Remember, 例 specifically means 'precedent' or 'rule' while 例子 is 'example.'
Write 例
例
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Practice writing 例 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 例
例 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Everything along the border has its price: drugs, teak, smuggled goods.
10
我给你举个简单的例子。
wǒ gěi nǐ jǔ gè jiǎn dān de lì zǐ。
Let me give you one quick example.
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Cultural Notes for 例
💡Did you know?
'例' is often used in everyday phrases such as '例子' (example). It's a common character in formal and informal settings, highlighting the importance of examples in communication.
Word Family of 例
Words Containing This Character20
例lìexample
比例bǐlìscale
例如lìrúfor example
例子lìzicase
例外lìwàiexception
病例(medical) case
条例tiáolìrules條例
案例ànlìcase (law)
惯例guànlìconvention慣例
例行as usual
先例xiānlìantecedent
例行公事routine business
史无前例shǐwúqiánlìunprecedented in history史無前例
破例pòlìto make an exception
下不为例not to be repeated下不為例
举例jǔlìto give an example舉例
特例tèlìspecial case
例假legal holiday
事例example
实例an actual example實例
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 例
What does 比例 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 例
While both 例 (lì) and 示例 (shìlì) refer to examples, 例 is a more general term that can mean 'case' or 'precedent' as well. 示例 specifically emphasizes the act of demonstrating or illustrating something, making it more focused on providing an example.
Yes, 例 (lì) can be used in both formal and informal writing. It is commonly found in academic texts, legal documents, and any context where examples are needed to support arguments or explanations.
例 (lì) means 'example' or 'case' in Chinese. It is often used to refer to instances or examples that illustrate a point. In various contexts, it can also imply a precedent or a rule.
To use 例 (lì) in a sentence, you can structure it like this: '这是一个好例子' (zhè shì yī gè hǎo lìzi), which means 'This is a good example.' It's commonly used to introduce or highlight examples in discussions.
You can use 例 in a sentence like '我给你一个例子' (Wǒ gěi nǐ yīgè lìzi), meaning 'I will give you an example.'
No, 例 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's especially common in academic and legal discussions.
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