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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.
Frequency#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
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About 手里
手里Simplified
手裡Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 手里
Podcast: 手里
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AI Study Notes for 手里
Memory Mnemonic
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'.
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.
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.
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
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Cultural Notes for 手里
🏮Cultural insight
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.
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.
It's generally more informal; for formal contexts, consider using other expressions that convey authority or control.
Not necessarily; it can also refer to situations or responsibilities that one has control over.
