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例子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
例子lìzicaseHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #4639, Medium
例子lìzi(for) instanceHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #4639, Medium
例子lìziexampleHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #4639, Medium
lìzi(li4zi5)li zi T4
  1. 1case
  2. 2(for) instance
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March 24, 2026

例子lìzi(li4zi5)

例子 (lìzi) means 'example' or 'instance' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to illustrate a point or provide clarification in conversation or writing. The term is often employed in educational settings, discussions, and presentations to enhance understanding.

Strokes11Frequency#4639DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese education, providing examples (例子) is crucial for learning, as it helps students grasp concepts through relatable scenarios. Use of examples is deeply embedded in Chinese teaching methodologies.

Memory Tip

Imagine a teacher holding up a big 'letter L' (for 'li') and pointing to a 'zebra' (for 'zi') in a classroom. The teacher says, 'This zebra is an example of an animal!' The character 例 (lì) looks like a person (亻) next to a foot (立), suggesting a person standing by an instance or example.

Meanings of 例子

lìzi(li4zi5)
1case
2(for) instance
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 例子

例子Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 例子

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Podcast: 例子

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AI Study Notes for 例子

Quick Contrast

实例 (shílì) - use 例子 (lìzi) for general examples, while 实例 (shílì) is more specific to real-life cases or practical applications.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone: the first syllable (例) is pronounced with a falling tone, while the second syllable (子) has a neutral tone. A common mistake is to confuse 例子 with similar terms like 示例 (shìlì), which is more formal. Use 例子 in everyday conversation and informal writing.

HSK Study Tips

While 例子 is not an HSK word on its own, it relates to HSK vocabulary that deals with explanation and examples, enhancing comprehension of other words. Students at HSK 3-4 should focus on using 例子 to practice sentence construction and context demonstration.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 例子 by mixing up the tones, leading to confusion with unrelated words. For instance, saying 'lì zī' instead of 'lì zi' changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to keep the first syllable with a falling tone and the second neutral.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 例子

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Jason Explains 例子 to You

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Learning Lab

Knowing 例子 is seven skills, not one.

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.

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Component Characters

例lìexample
8 strokes亻
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say case in Chinese

“case” in Chinese is例子lìzi

例子 (lìzi) means 'example' or 'instance' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to illustrate a point or provide clarification in conversation or writing. The term is often employed in educational settings, discussions, and presentations to enhance understanding.

When to use 例子

Be mindful of the tone: the first syllable (例) is pronounced with a falling tone, while the second syllable (子) has a neutral tone. A common mistake is to confuse 例子 with similar terms like 示例 (shìlì), which is more formal. Use 例子 in everyday conversation and informal writing.

例子 or something close to it

实例 (shílì) - use 例子 (lìzi) for general examples, while 实例 (shílì) is more specific to real-life cases or practical applications.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 例子 by mixing up the tones, leading to confusion with unrelated words. For instance, saying 'lì zī' instead of 'lì zi' changes the meaning entirely. Always remember to keep the first syllable with a falling tone and the second neutral.

Write 例子

例
子

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 例子

You can say, '给我一个例子' (gěi wǒ yīgè lìzi), meaning 'Give me an example.'

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