Meanings of 裡
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About 裡
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Podcast: 裡
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AI Study Notes for 裡
Be careful not to confuse 裡 (lǐ) with its homophones or characters that share similar meanings, as context is crucial. It's more commonly used in informal settings when referring to distances or locations, so ensure clarity when using it in formal communications. Common collocations include '村裡' (in the village) or '裡面' (inside).
Though 裡 (lǐ) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 3-4 level due to its practical applications in conversations about locations and distances. Focus on its use in phrases related to geography and everyday life to enhance your fluency.
Learners often confuse 裡 (lǐ) with 里 (lǐ), which has similar pronunciation but different meanings (the latter is more common for distance). For example, saying '我住在里' (Wǒ zhù zài lǐ) instead of '我住在村裡' (Wǒ zhù zài cūn lǐ) can lead to misunderstanding.
Pronunciation of 裡
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Etymology of 裡
A village (里) is an area of land (土) where people have fields (田). In simplified Chinese 里 is also used to mean "inside", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 裡.
Unit of measure for farm 田 land 土; 衤 provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 裡
A village (里) is an area of land (土) where people have fields (田). In simplified Chinese 里 is also used to mean "inside", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 裡.
- 1The giveawayUnit of measure for farm 田 land 土; 衤 provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 裡? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 裡
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How to say unit of distance equal to 0.5km; village; lane in Chinese
“unit of distance equal to 0.5km; village; lane” in Chinese is裡
The character 裡 (lǐ) primarily refers to a traditional unit of distance in China, equivalent to approximately 0.5 kilometers. It can also denote a village or neighborhood, often used in the context of rural areas. In various idiomatic expressions, it can imply 'inside' or 'within,' reflecting its usage in both spatial and metaphorical contexts.
When to use 裡
Be careful not to confuse 裡 (lǐ) with its homophones or characters that share similar meanings, as context is crucial. It's more commonly used in informal settings when referring to distances or locations, so ensure clarity when using it in formal communications. Common collocations include '村裡' (in the village) or '裡面' (inside).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 裡 (lǐ) with 里 (lǐ), which has similar pronunciation but different meanings (the latter is more common for distance). For example, saying '我住在里' (Wǒ zhù zài lǐ) instead of '我住在村裡' (Wǒ zhù zài cūn lǐ) can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 裡
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Practice writing 裡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 裡
Compound Meaning
What does 里 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 裡
It is pronounced as 'lǐ' with a third tone, which sounds like a rising then falling tone.
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