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犁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
犁
lí
to plow
n, 11 strokes, radical 牛, rank #24511, Very Hard
犁
lí
plow
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 牛, rank #24511, Very Hard
lí(li2)li T2
1to plow
2plow
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March 24, 2026
犁lí(li2)
The character 犁 (lí) refers to a tool used in agriculture for plowing soil. It signifies the act of turning over the earth to prepare for planting, commonly used in farming contexts. This term is essential in discussions about agriculture and rural life in China.
Strokes11Radical牛Frequency#24511DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese culture, farming and agriculture hold significant importance, especially in rural communities where the plow symbolizes hard work and sustenance. Festivals related to harvest often celebrate this agricultural tool.
Memory tip
Imagine a farmer with a large, iron plow (犁) cutting through the earth. The character has a radical that resembles a plow pushing through soil, and the 'l' sound in 'lí' can remind you of 'land' as in the land being plowed.
Meanings of 犁
lí(li2)
1to plow
2plow
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 犁
犁Simplified
11Strokes
牛Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 犁
Podcast: 犁
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AI Study Notes for 犁
Quick Contrast
犁 (lí) vs 耕 (gēng) — use 犁 when specifically referring to the plowing tool, while 耕 refers to the act of tilling or cultivating the land.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 犁 (lí) with similar-sounding words. This term is generally used in a formal context, particularly when discussing agriculture. Common collocations include '犁地' (plow the field) and '犁耕' (plowing and tilling).
HSK Study Tips
While 犁 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with agricultural terms often found in levels 3 and above. Focus on the context of farming and rural settings to enhance understanding and usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 犁 (lí) with 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason' or 'to manage.' For example, saying '我喜欢犁' (Wǒ xǐhuān lí) thinking it means 'I like reason' is incorrect; the correct context would be agricultural.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 犁
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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.
The character 犁 (lí) refers to a tool used in agriculture for plowing soil. It signifies the act of turning over the earth to prepare for planting, commonly used in farming contexts. This term is essential in discussions about agriculture and rural life in China.
When to use 犁
Be cautious not to confuse 犁 (lí) with similar-sounding words. This term is generally used in a formal context, particularly when discussing agriculture. Common collocations include '犁地' (plow the field) and '犁耕' (plowing and tilling).
犁 or something close to it
犁 (lí) vs 耕 (gēng) — use 犁 when specifically referring to the plowing tool, while 耕 refers to the act of tilling or cultivating the land.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 犁 (lí) with 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason' or 'to manage.' For example, saying '我喜欢犁' (Wǒ xǐhuān lí) thinking it means 'I like reason' is incorrect; the correct context would be agricultural.
Write 犁
犁
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Practice writing 犁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 犁
犁 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 2 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉____。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
Example Sentences for 犁 (8)
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1
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉犁。
zhè shì20 shìjì zǎoqī de sà sāi kè Sī xiāngcūn， nà shí háishi yòng mǎ lā lí。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
2
把土地彻底犁开。
bǎ tǔdì chèdǐ lí kāi。
Dig the soil over thoroughly.
3
作物的秆被留着以便犁入土中作下次播种的肥料.
zuòwù de gǎn bèi liú zhe yǐbiàn lí rù tǔ zhōng zuō xiàcì bōzhǒng de féiliào.
The stalks are left to be ploughed into the earth for the next planting.
4
为了开发这一地区,建筑工人们用犁推土,覆盖了许多小树.
wèile kāifā zhè yī dìqū, jiànzhù gōngrén men yòng lí tuī tǔ, fùgài le xǔduō xiǎo shù.
The builders ploughed in a lot of young trees when clearing this area for development.
5
那农夫用犁翻起了一些埋葬的财宝.
nà nóng fū yòng lí fān qǐ le yìxiē máizàng de cái bǎo.
