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March 24, 2026
栗(慄)lì(li4)
The character 栗 (lì) primarily refers to the chestnut tree and the edible nuts it produces, which are popular in Chinese cuisine. It can also be used as a surname and, in certain contexts, conveys connotations of fear or trembling. This dual meaning can lead to confusion, so context is crucial in understanding its use.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#9552DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Chestnuts are a popular snack and ingredient in various Chinese dishes, especially during the autumn and winter months. They are often roasted and sold at street vendors, symbolizing warmth and comfort during the colder seasons.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chestnut tree standing tall, with its branches trembling in the wind, as if afraid of something. The character 栗 combines the radical for tree (木) on the left with the sound component (栗) that phonetically resembles 'li', which helps you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 栗
lì(li4)
1chestnut tree; chestnuts; surname
2afraid
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 栗
栗Simplified
慄Traditional
10Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 栗
Podcast: 栗
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AI Study Notes for 栗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chestnut tree standing tall, with its branches trembling in the wind, as if afraid of something. The character 栗 combines the radical for tree (木) on the left with the sound component (栗) that phonetically resembles 'li', which helps you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 栗 with other similar-sounding words in Mandarin. It’s generally used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in culinary discussions. Common collocations include 栗子 (lìzi), meaning 'chestnuts', and 栗树 (lìshù), meaning 'chestnut tree'.
HSK Study Tips
While 栗 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at levels 3-4 to recognize this character, especially in the context of food. Students should focus on the pronunciation and common phrases involving chestnuts to integrate this word into their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
Chestnuts are a popular snack and ingredient in various Chinese dishes, especially during the autumn and winter months. They are often roasted and sold at street vendors, symbolizing warmth and comfort during the colder seasons.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 栗 with similar characters like 理 (lǐ) or 立 (lì). For example, saying '我喜欢理子' instead of '我喜欢栗子' (I like chestnuts) is incorrect. Make sure to pay attention to the context and pronunciation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 栗
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Grammar Patterns of 栗
栗 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她身上透着一股冷漠，让他不寒而____。
There was a coldness in her that chilled him.
Example Sentences for 栗 (10)
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1
她身上透着一股冷漠，让他不寒而栗。
tā shēn shàng tòu zháo yī gǔ lěng mò， ， ràng tā bù hán ér。
There was a coldness in her that chilled him.
2
有些地方晚上真是让人不寒而栗。
yǒu xiē dì fāng wǎn shàng zhēn shì ràng rén bù hán ér lì。
There were certain places that were really creepy at night.
jiē zháo jiā lǐ· · sī nèi fū lì chuán cháng yì shí dào le zhè gè líng rén bù hán ér lì de shì。
Then the chilling truth dawned on Captain Gary Snavely.
9
因为栗子,正苦无话可说的年青人,得到同情他的人了.
yīn wéi lì zǐ, , zhèng kǔ wú huà kě shuō de nián qīng, rén , dé dào tóng qíng tā de.
Talk of chestnuts loosened the tongue of this inarticulate young man.
10
我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树.
wǒ mén de huā yuán jìn tóu yǒu yī kē lì shù.
We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden.
Cultural Notes for 栗
🏮Cultural insight
Chestnuts are a popular snack and ingredient in various Chinese dishes, especially during the autumn and winter months. They are often roasted and sold at street vendors, symbolizing warmth and comfort during the colder seasons.
Word Family of 栗
Words Containing This Character20
栗lìafraid慄
栗子chestnut
板栗Chinese chestnut
颤栗to tremble顫慄
不寒而栗shudder不寒而慄
栗色maroon (color)
战栗to tremble戰慄
醋栗gooseberry
苗栗Miaoli city and county in northwest Taiwan
火中取栗fig. to be sb's cat's-paw
苗栗县Miaoli county in northwest Taiwan苗栗縣
上栗县Shangli county in Pingxiang 萍鄉|萍乡, Jiangxi上栗縣
上栗Shangli county in Pingxiang 萍鄉|萍乡, Jiangxi
麻栗坡县Malipo county in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao autonomous prefecture 文山壯族苗族自治州|文山壮族苗族自治州[WénshānZhuàngzúMiáozúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan麻栗坡縣
麻栗坡Malipo county in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao autonomous prefecture 文山壯族苗族自治州|文山壮族苗族自治州[WénshānZhuàngzúMiáozúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan
股栗to shake like an aspen股慄
震栗trembling震慄
苗栗市Miaoli city in northwest Taiwan, capital of Miaoli county
栗然shuddering慄然
战战栗栗to tremble with fear戰戰慄慄
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 栗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 栗
栗 refers specifically to chestnuts, while 胡桃 refers to walnuts.
Yes, in some contexts, 栗 can imply fear or anxiety, often used in literary or poetic expressions.
