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栎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
栎lìchestnut-leaved oakng, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #47700, Very Hard
栎lìoakunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #47700, Very Hard
栎lìQuercus serrataunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #47700, Very Hard
lì(li4) T4
  1. 1chestnut-leaved oak
  2. 2oak
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

栎(櫟)lì(li4)

The character 栎 (lì) refers specifically to the chestnut-leaved oak, a type of oak tree known for its distinct leaves. It is commonly used in botanical contexts and discussions about forestry or landscaping. The character can also represent oak wood in general, which is valued for its strength and durability in construction and furniture making.

Strokes9Radical木Frequency#47700DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, oak trees are often associated with strength and endurance, and their wood is traditionally used in crafting furniture and tools. The chestnut-leaved oak specifically is valued in certain regions for its ecological benefits.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sturdy oak tree standing tall with chestnut leaves. The character 栎 resembles a tree (木) with a roof (亥) over it, symbolizing a tree that provides shade, like an oak. The pronunciation 'lì' can be remembered by thinking of 'leafy' oak trees.

Meanings of 栎

lì(li4)
1chestnut-leaved oak
2oak
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 栎

栎Simplified
櫟Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 栎

JasonAmy

Podcast: 栎

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 栎

Usage Notes

Avoid using 栎 in casual contexts where a more general term for 'tree' or 'wood' would suffice. It is typically used in formal or scientific discussions. Be cautious with the tone; it's pronounced with a falling tone (lì), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

While 栎 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 and above vocabulary related to nature and plants. Students should focus on recognizing tree-related characters and their uses in various contexts, enhancing their botanical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 栎 with other tree-related characters like 林 (lín, forest) or 木 (mù, wood). Remember that 栎 specifically refers to a type of oak and should not be used interchangeably with more general terms.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 栎

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Etymology of 栎

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)乐
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 栎

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half乐 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 栎? 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 栎?

Decomposition of 栎

IDS Structure⿰木乐
栎Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
乐Le4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 栎?

How to say chestnut-leaved oak in Chinese

“chestnut-leaved oak” in Chinese is栎lì

The character 栎 (lì) refers specifically to the chestnut-leaved oak, a type of oak tree known for its distinct leaves. It is commonly used in botanical contexts and discussions about forestry or landscaping. The character can also represent oak wood in general, which is valued for its strength and durability in construction and furniture making.

When to use 栎

Avoid using 栎 in casual contexts where a more general term for 'tree' or 'wood' would suffice. It is typically used in formal or scientific discussions. Be cautious with the tone; it's pronounced with a falling tone (lì), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 栎 with other tree-related characters like 林 (lín, forest) or 木 (mù, wood). Remember that 栎 specifically refers to a type of oak and should not be used interchangeably with more general terms.

Write 栎

栎

Practice writing 栎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 栎

栎 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

____木弯而不折.

Oak may bend but will not break.

Example Sentences for 栎 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
栎木弯而不折.

lì mù wān ér bù zhē.

Oak may bend but will not break.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

Oak may bend but will not break.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Word Family of 栎

Words Containing This Character3
栎lìoak櫟
栎树oak tree櫟樹
栓皮栎Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis)栓皮櫟
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 栎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 栎

It refers to the chestnut-leaved oak, a type of oak tree.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 栎?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.