(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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 哩
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.
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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Drill the tone of 哩 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 里 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half里 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 哩? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 哩?
Decomposition of 哩
IDS Structure⿰口里
哩Full Character
=
口kou3
left
里li3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 哩?
How to say mile in Chinese
“mile” in Chinese is哩lǐ
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.
When to use 哩
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 哩
哩
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Practice writing 哩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
