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March 24, 2026
利lì(Li4)
The character 利 (lì) primarily means 'benefit' or 'profit' and can also refer to something that is 'sharp' or 'favorable'. Commonly used in both business contexts, where it denotes profit, and in everyday language to describe advantageous situations or outcomes.
Strokes7Radical刂Frequency#1360DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 利 is deeply ingrained in business practices and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of mutual benefits and advantageous outcomes in relationships and transactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sharp knife cutting through obstacles to bring you benefits. The character 利 has a sharp, upright form that resembles a knife, symbolizing cutting through challenges to gain something favorable.
Meanings of 利
lì(Li4)
1sharp
2favorable
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 利
利Simplified
7Strokes
刂Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1360Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 利
Podcast: 利
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AI Study Notes for 利
Quick Contrast
利 (lì) vs 益 (yì) — use 利 for profit or benefit in a business context, while 益 emphasizes general benefits or advantages.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone as 利 is pronounced with a fourth tone (lì), which can be confused with the first tone (lī) meaning 'to stand'. It is often used in phrases like '利益' (lìyì, interest or profit) and '有利' (yǒulì, advantageous).
HSK Study Tips
Though not directly included in the HSK levels, 利 can be related to HSK Level 3 vocabulary around business and benefits. Focus on using it in context with other related terms like '利益' and '有利'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 利 (lì) with 利用 (lìyòng, to make use of), mistakenly using them interchangeably. It's important to understand that 利 refers to profit or benefit, while 利用 emphasizes the action of utilizing something.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 利
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Depicts harvesting grain (禾) with a blade (刂). Harvest was the main source of profit in agricultural societies.
1The giveawayHarvesting 刂 grain 禾
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 利? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 利?
Decomposition of 利
IDS Structure⿰禾刂
利Full Character
=
禾he2
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 利?
How to say sharp in Chinese
“sharp” in Chinese is利lì
The character 利 (lì) primarily means 'benefit' or 'profit' and can also refer to something that is 'sharp' or 'favorable'. Commonly used in both business contexts, where it denotes profit, and in everyday language to describe advantageous situations or outcomes.
When to use 利
Be cautious with the tone as 利 is pronounced with a fourth tone (lì), which can be confused with the first tone (lī) meaning 'to stand'. It is often used in phrases like '利益' (lìyì, interest or profit) and '有利' (yǒulì, advantageous).
利 or something close to it
利 (lì) vs 益 (yì) — use 利 for profit or benefit in a business context, while 益 emphasizes general benefits or advantages.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 利 (lì) with 利用 (lìyòng, to make use of), mistakenly using them interchangeably. It's important to understand that 利 refers to profit or benefit, while 利用 emphasizes the action of utilizing something.
Write 利
利
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Practice writing 利 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 利
利 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
You can just take out the interest each year, if you choose.
Cultural Notes for 利
💡Did you know?
The character 利 is associated with the concept of benefit and profit in Chinese culture, reflecting the importance of favorable outcomes in business and personal decisions. It highlights the value placed on advantageous situations.
Word Family of 利
Compounds22
莉li4jasmine
梨li2pear
俐li4clever
蜊li2clam
犁li2to plow
痢li4dysentery
筣
唎li4final particle; and? ok?
悧li4active; clever, sharp; smooth
梸
浰
猁li4a kind of monkey
脷li4beef tongue
鬁
娳
峲
悡
琍
誗
鋓
鋫
鯏
Words Containing This Character20
利用lìyòngto exploit
利lìsharp
利益lìyìbenefit
胜利shènglìvictory勝利
顺利shùnlìsmoothly順利
权利quánlìpower權利
意大利Italy
利润lìrùnprofits利潤
利率lìlǜinterest rates
有利yǒulìadvantageous
澳大利亚Australia澳大利亞
不利búlìunfavorable
福利fúlìmaterial benefit
亨利Henry (name)
盈利yínglìprofit
专利zhuānlìpatent專利
比利Pelé (1940-), Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, Brazilian football star
便利biànlìeasy
利息lìxīinterest (on a loan)
哈利Harry
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 莉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 利
Common phrases that include 利 (lì) are 利益 (lìyì), meaning 'interests', and 有利 (yǒulì), meaning 'favorable'. These phrases are often used in discussions regarding economic or personal advantages.
Yes, 利 (lì) is also a surname in China, although it is less common than other surnames. It can sometimes be seen in historical contexts or in names of certain regions.
利 (lì) means 'profit' or 'advantage' in Chinese. It can also refer to benefits or interests in various contexts. The character is commonly used in business and economic discussions.
You can use 利 (lì) in sentences like '这项投资非常有利' (This investment is very advantageous). It often combines with other characters to describe specific benefits or interests, such as 利润 (lìrùn), meaning 'profit'.
Common phrases include '利益' (lìyì, profit) and '有利于' (yǒulìyú, beneficial to).
Think of 'lì' as 'lee' - like someone who is leaning towards something profitable.
Yes, it is often used in formal business contexts as well as everyday conversation.
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