Meanings of 吏
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About 吏
Podcast: 吏
Podcast: 吏
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AI Study Notes for 吏
Learners should note that 吏 is an older term and may not appear frequently in contemporary contexts, but is still relevant in historical discussions. It is more formal, so use it in contexts discussing governance or historical governance.
While 吏 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial for learners interested in reading classical texts or understanding historical governance. Focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in literature or historical documents.
Learners often confuse 吏 with other similar terms for officials, such as 官 (guān), which refers to officials in a broader sense. Remember, 吏 is specifically for minor officials.
Pronunciation of 吏
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Etymology of 吏
The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding some object. There are vario
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 吏
The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding some object. There are vario
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 吏? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Decomposition of 吏
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 吏?
How to say government official, magistrate in Chinese
“government official, magistrate” in Chinese is吏
The character 吏 (lì) refers to a government official or magistrate, particularly in historical contexts. It typically denotes a minor government functionary, emphasizing roles within the bureaucratic system, especially in ancient China.
When to use 吏
Learners should note that 吏 is an older term and may not appear frequently in contemporary contexts, but is still relevant in historical discussions. It is more formal, so use it in contexts discussing governance or historical governance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 吏 with other similar terms for officials, such as 官 (guān), which refers to officials in a broader sense. Remember, 吏 is specifically for minor officials.
Write 吏
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Practice writing 吏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 吏
吏 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 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
威尔逊不是个与小官小____打交道的人。
Wilson was not a man who dealt with petty officials.
Example Sentences for 吏 (3)
Word Family of 吏
Compound Meaning
What does 吏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 吏
Unlike more general terms for officials, 吏 specifically refers to minor or lower-level government functionaries, often in historical contexts.
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