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March 24, 2026
靂lì(li4)
The character 靂 (lì) refers to a thunderclap or the sound of crashing thunder. It is often used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of dramatic weather or to symbolize suddenness and power, commonly appearing in poetry and classical texts.
Strokes24Radical雨Frequency#62752DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, thunder is often associated with powerful deities and is considered a sign of impending rain, which is crucial for agriculture. The sound of thunder is deeply embedded in traditional Chinese poetry and art.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'li' (pronounced like 'lee') with a lightning bolt crashing down, producing a loud thunderclap. The character 靂 looks like a roof (the top part) over the sound of thunder (the bottom part), reminding you of the sound echoing during a storm.
Meanings of 靂
lì(li4)
1thunderclap, crashing thunder
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About 靂
靂Simplified
24Strokes
雨Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 靂
Podcast: 靂
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AI Study Notes for 靂
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'li' (pronounced like 'lee') with a lightning bolt crashing down, producing a loud thunderclap. The character 靂 looks like a roof (the top part) over the sound of thunder (the bottom part), reminding you of the sound echoing during a storm.
Usage Notes
靂 is a more formal and literary term for thunder, so it may not be used in everyday conversation where simpler terms like 雷 (léi) are preferred. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Since 靂 is not included in HSK levels, it's beneficial to relate it to HSK 4 vocabulary, particularly words related to nature and weather. Focus on recognizing its literary usage and understanding the context in which it appears.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, thunder is often associated with powerful deities and is considered a sign of impending rain, which is crucial for agriculture. The sound of thunder is deeply embedded in traditional Chinese poetry and art.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 靂 with 雷 (léi), which is the more common term for thunder. Remember that 靂 is more poetic and formal, whereas 雷 is used in everyday language.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 靂
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Cultural Notes for 靂
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, thunder is often associated with powerful deities and is considered a sign of impending rain, which is crucial for agriculture. The sound of thunder is deeply embedded in traditional Chinese poetry and art.
Word Family of 靂
Words Containing This Character5
霹雳clap of thunder霹靂
霹雳舞to breakdance霹靂舞
晴天霹雳thunder from a clear sky (idiom); a bolt from the blue晴天霹靂
雳lìclap of thunder靂
青天霹雳thunder from a clear sky (idiom); a bolt from the blue青天霹靂
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 霹雳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 靂
No, 靂 is primarily used in literary contexts and is less common in casual speech compared to 雷 (léi).
You can associate 'lì' with 'lee' as in 'lightning', linking it to the sound of thunder.
You can look at 雷 (léi) for thunder and 霆 (tíng) for thunderbolt, which are more frequently used.
