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列 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
列
liè
to arrange
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
to line up
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
row
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
file
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
series
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
column
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
a line; to arrange, to classify
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
liè(lie4)lie T4
1to arrange
2to line up
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March 24, 2026
列liè(lie4)
The character 列 (liè) primarily means 'to arrange' or 'to line up.' It is commonly used in contexts involving organization, such as lining up items in a row or classifying data in columns. The nuance implies a systematic or orderly arrangement, often seen in both physical and abstract contexts.
Strokes6Radical刂Frequency#2547DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of order is significant, especially in traditional practices such as feng shui, where arranging objects in a specific manner is believed to affect harmony and balance in one’s environment.
Memory tip
Think of 列 (liè) as a line of soldiers standing in formation. The left side, 刀 (dāo), resembles a knife that cuts through chaos to create order, while the right side, 一, represents a straight line. Together, they symbolize the act of arranging things neatly in a row.
Meanings of 列
liè(lie4)
1to arrange
2to line up
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 列
列Simplified
6Strokes
刂Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#2547Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
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AI study notes for 列
Quick Contrast
排列 (pái liè, to arrange in order) vs 排 (pái, to arrange) — use 列 (liè) when emphasizing a systematic or orderly arrangement, especially in a structured format like lists or data.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding characters. 列 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in academic or organizational settings. Common collocations include 列出 (liè chū - to list out) and 列车 (liè chē - train).
HSK Study Tips
While 列 may not be directly included in the HSK vocabulary, it relates to words at this level that involve organization and order, such as 排 (pái - to arrange) and 清单 (qīng dān - list). Focus on its usage in phrases and practice writing with context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 列 (liè) with the character 排 (pái), which also means to arrange but implies a different context. For example, saying 列队 (liè duì - to line up) incorrectly when you mean 排队 (pái duì) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 列
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The character 列 (liè) primarily means 'to arrange' or 'to line up.' It is commonly used in contexts involving organization, such as lining up items in a row or classifying data in columns. The nuance implies a systematic or orderly arrangement, often seen in both physical and abstract contexts.
When to use 列
Be cautious with the pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding characters. 列 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in academic or organizational settings. Common collocations include 列出 (liè chū - to list out) and 列车 (liè chē - train).
列 or something close to it
排列 (pái liè, to arrange in order) vs 排 (pái, to arrange) — use 列 (liè) when emphasizing a systematic or orderly arrangement, especially in a structured format like lists or data.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 列 (liè) with the character 排 (pái), which also means to arrange but implies a different context. For example, saying 列队 (liè duì - to line up) incorrectly when you mean 排队 (pái duì) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 列
列
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Grammar patterns of 列
列 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
On both days, three very different trains will be timetabled.
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Cultural Notes for 列
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, arranging items in a specific order is important for aesthetics and harmony, reflecting the philosophy of balance in one's environment.
Word Family of 列
Compounds21
例lìexample
烈lièardent
裂lièto split
咧liēto grimace, to grin
冽liècold and raw; pure, clear
趔lièto stumble; to halt, to check
洌lièclear, pure; to cleanse
栵liè
茢liè
蛚liè
劽liè
姴liè
峛liè
峢lǐ
挒liè
烮liè
迾liè
銐chì
颲liè
鮤liè
鴷liè
Words containing this character20
系列xìlièseries
列lièfile
以色列yǐsèlièIsrael
列车lièchē(railway) train列車
一系列yíxìlièa series of
列入lièrùto include on a list
排列páilièto arrange in order
序列xùlièsequence
列为lièwéito be classified as列為
行列hánglièranks
列出lièchūto list
列表lièbiǎolist
下列xiàlièfollowing
前列腺qiánlièxiànprostate
前列qiánlièthe very front
列宁lièníngVladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), Russian revolutionary leader列寧
并列bìnglièto be juxtaposed並列
列举lièjǔa list列舉
列队lièduìin formation (military)列隊
陈列chénlièto display陳列
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 列
What does 例 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 列
Common phrases that include 列 (liè) are '列出' (liè chū), meaning 'to list out', and '列车' (liè chē), which means 'train' in the sense of a series of connected cars. These phrases highlight the character's meaning related to arrangement and series.
Use 列 (liè) when you are referring specifically to the act of lining things up or organizing in rows. It differs from characters like 排 (pái), which emphasizes the order of arrangement. Understanding the context will help you choose the right character.
列 (liè) means 'to arrange' or 'to line up'. It can also refer to a 'row', 'file', 'series', or 'column' in various contexts. This character is commonly used in both everyday situations and formal writing.
You can use 列 (liè) to describe the arrangement of items or people. For example, '他们排成一列' means 'They lined up in a row'. It's often used in contexts involving organization or categorization.
You can say 列出你的名字 (liè chū nǐ de míng zì) which means 'list your name.'
Yes, 列 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in contexts involving lists or organization.
Some synonyms include 排 (pái - to arrange) and 顺序 (shùn xù - order).
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