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悧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
active; clever, sharp; smoothzg, 10 strokes, radical 忄, Very Hard
(li4) T4
  1. 1active; clever, sharp; smooth
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(li4)

The character 悧 (lì) describes a quality of being active, clever, or sharp in intellect. It is often used to characterize someone who is quick-witted or has a sharp mind, and can also imply smoothness in behavior or actions. This term may be used in both formal and informal contexts, often to praise someone's intelligence or agility in thinking.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, sharpness in intellect is highly valued, often associated with successful scholars and strategists throughout history. The character is reflective of the traditional admiration for wisdom and cleverness in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clever fox (the character's form suggests agility) darting smoothly through a field, showcasing both its sharp mind and quick movements. The 'lì' sound can remind you of the word 'leap,' emphasizing its active nature.

Meanings of 悧

(li4)
1active; clever, sharp; smooth
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 悧

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 悧

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 悧

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a clever fox (the character's form suggests agility) darting smoothly through a field, showcasing both its sharp mind and quick movements. The 'lì' sound can remind you of the word 'leap,' emphasizing its active nature.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 悧 with similar-sounding characters, such as 利 (benefit) or 力 (strength). It is primarily used in more formal contexts, such as literature or praise, and is less common in everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone and ensure you pronounce it correctly as 'lì' with the fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the HSK curriculum, studying 悧 can enhance your vocabulary at an advanced level by connecting it to other descriptive adjectives. Focus on its applications in literary sentences or idiomatic expressions to deepen your understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, sharpness in intellect is highly valued, often associated with successful scholars and strategists throughout history. The character is reflective of the traditional admiration for wisdom and cleverness in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 悧 when they mean 利 (benefit) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我觉得她很利' instead of '我觉得她很悧' (I think she is very clever). Always check the context to ensure the correct character is used.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 悧

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Etymology of 悧

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

One with a sharp 刂 wit 忄; 利 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 悧?

Decomposition of 悧

IDS Structure⿰忄利
Full Character
=
xin1
left
Li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 悧?

Write 悧

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 悧

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, sharpness in intellect is highly valued, often associated with successful scholars and strategists throughout history. The character is reflective of the traditional admiration for wisdom and cleverness in Chinese society.

Word Family of 悧

Words Containing This Character1
smooth
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 悧 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 悧

It is often used to describe someone who is clever or quick-thinking, and can also refer to smooth actions.