(modal final particle similar to 呢[ne5] or 啦[la5])
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
lǐ
old form of modern 英里[Ying1 li3]
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
li
mile
y, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
li
mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
li
(modal final particle similar to 呢[ne5] or 啦[la5])
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
li
old form of modern 英里[Ying1 li3]
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
lī
mile
y, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
lī
mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
lī
(modal final particle similar to 呢[ne5] or 啦[la5])
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
哩
lī
old form of modern 英里[Ying1 li3]
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #5208, Hard
lī(li1)
primary
T1
1mile
2mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
哩lī(li1)
哩 (lī) primarily refers to the unit of measurement known as a mile, which is equivalent to approximately 1,609.344 meters. Additionally, it can function as a modal final particle, similar to 呢 (ne) or 啦 (la), adding a casual tone to statements or questions in conversational Mandarin.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#5208DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of miles is more familiar in Western countries, while kilometers are predominantly used in China. Understanding 哩 can help in conversations about travel, especially when discussing distances in places that still use imperial measures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long road stretching a mile ahead of you, where every step you take is marked by a big 'L' for 哩 (lī). The sound 'lī' is like 'lee,' which you can visualize as a friend cheering you on as you walk that mile.
Meanings of 哩
lī(li1)
primary
1mile
2mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 哩
哩Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
语气词yǔqìcímodal particle (mod.part.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 哩
Podcast: 哩
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AI Study Notes for 哩
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a long road stretching a mile ahead of you, where every step you take is marked by a big 'L' for 哩 (lī). The sound 'lī' is like 'lee,' which you can visualize as a friend cheering you on as you walk that mile.
Usage Notes
哩 is informal and commonly used in casual conversations. When using it as a particle, ensure not to confuse it with 呢 or 啦, as each particle has its own nuance. A common mistake is using 哩 in formal writing, where it is less appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
While 哩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can enhance your understanding of colloquial expressions. It's useful to explore how this word relates to other measurement terms like 公里 (gōnglǐ, kilometer) to grasp the context of distance in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
The concept of miles is more familiar in Western countries, while kilometers are predominantly used in China. Understanding 哩 can help in conversations about travel, especially when discussing distances in places that still use imperial measures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 哩 with other modal particles like 呢 or 啦, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '你去哪儿哩?' instead of the more appropriate '你去哪儿呢?' can sound awkward.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哩
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Grammar Patterns of 哩
哩 functions as a grammatical particle — it carries no standalone meaning but signals a grammatical relationship. Particles attach to specific positions in the sentence (clause-final 吗/吧/呢, post-verbal 了/过/着, post-noun 的) and rarely move. It carries 4 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.
'Just the man I was looking for,'said a voice at Winston's back.
8
马塞洛跪坐在地上，激动地哇哩哇啦地说着。
mǎ sāi luò guì zuò zài dì shàng， ， jī dòng dì wā li wā lā dì shuō。
Marcello sat on his knee and gabbled excitedly.
9
我们今天走了五哩路。
Wǒmen jīntiān zǒu le wǔ lǐ lù.
We walked five miles today.
10
学校离我家有两哩远。
Xuéxiào lí wǒ jiā yǒu liǎng lǐ yuǎn.
The school is two miles away from my house.
11
他每次跑步都能跑三哩。
Tā měi cì pǎobù dōu néng pǎo sān lǐ.
He can run three miles every time he jogs.
12
超市距离这里大约一哩。
Chāoshì jùlí zhèlǐ dàyuē yī lǐ.
The supermarket is about one mile from here.
13
从这里到公园有一哩远。
Cóng zhèlǐ dào gōngyuán yǒu yī lǐ yuǎn.
It's one mile from here to the park.
14
我们打算骑自行车五哩。
Wǒmen dǎsuàn qí zìxíngchē wǔ lǐ.
We plan to ride our bikes for five miles.
Cultural Notes for 哩
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of miles is more familiar in Western countries, while kilometers are predominantly used in China. Understanding 哩 can help in conversations about travel, especially when discussing distances in places that still use imperial measures.
Word Family of 哩
Words Containing This Character4
哩lī(modal final particle similar to 呢[ne] or 啦[la])
咖哩curry (loanword)
唏哩哗啦(onom.) clatter (of mahjong tiles etc)唏哩嘩啦
叽哩咕噜(onom.) to jabber嘰哩咕嚕
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 哩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 哩
哩 is mainly used in spoken Mandarin and may not be as prevalent in formal writing.
Use 哩 at the end of a sentence to add an informal, conversational tone, similar to how you might use 'you know' in English.
哩 is an older term for a mile, while 英里 (yīnglǐ) is the modern term used today.
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