Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
手里 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
手里shǒulǐin handHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #1705, Medium
手里shǒulǐ(a situation is) in sb's handsHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #1705, Medium
shǒulǐ(shou3li3) T3
  1. 1in hand
  2. 2(a situation is) in sb's hands
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

手里(手裡)shǒulǐ(shou3li3)

手里 (shǒu lǐ) refers to something that is physically in one's hand or, metaphorically, a situation that is under someone's control or influence. It is commonly used in contexts where one discusses possession or authority over an object or situation.

Strokes11Frequency#1705DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, having something 'in hand' often signifies power or capability. This can relate to business, where having a deal or agreement 'in hand' is crucial for success.

Memory Tip

Imagine holding a shiny ‘手’ (hand) in your ‘里’ (inside). Visualize that the object inside your hand represents something you control, helping you remember that 手里 means 'in hand' or 'in control'.

Meanings of 手里

shǒulǐ(shou3li3)
1in hand
2(a situation is) in sb's hands
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 手里

手里Simplified
手裡Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 手里

JasonAmy

Podcast: 手里

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 手里

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 手里 with similar phrases like 在手 (zài shǒu), which means 'in hand' but emphasizes location rather than control. This term is more informal and is often used in daily conversations rather than formal writing.

HSK Study Tips

While 手里 is not explicitly included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other words related to possession and control, such as 拿 (ná, to hold) and 控制 (kòngzhì, to control). Focus on practicing phrases that use hand-related vocabulary for better contextual understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 手里 with the phrase 里边 (lǐ biān), which means 'inside' or 'within.' For example, saying '我的书在里边' (My book is inside) incorrectly suggests a physical location instead of possession.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 手里

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 手里 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry
里lǐlining
HSK 17 strokes里
View full entry

How to say in hand in Chinese

“in hand” in Chinese is手里shǒulǐ

手里 (shǒu lǐ) refers to something that is physically in one's hand or, metaphorically, a situation that is under someone's control or influence. It is commonly used in contexts where one discusses possession or authority over an object or situation.

When to use 手里

Be careful not to confuse 手里 with similar phrases like 在手 (zài shǒu), which means 'in hand' but emphasizes location rather than control. This term is more informal and is often used in daily conversations rather than formal writing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 手里 with the phrase 里边 (lǐ biān), which means 'inside' or 'within.' For example, saying '我的书在里边' (My book is inside) incorrectly suggests a physical location instead of possession.

Write 手里

手
里

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 手里

You can say, '我手里有一本书' (I have a book in hand) to indicate possession.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 手里?

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.