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栗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
栗
lì
chestnut tree; chestnuts; surname
nr, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #9552, Very Hard
栗
lì
afraid
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #9552, Very Hard
栗
lì
trembling
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #9552, Very Hard
lì(li4)li T4
1chestnut tree; chestnuts; surname
2afraid
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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#9552DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 栗 means.
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
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.
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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How to say chestnut tree; chestnuts; surname in Chinese
“chestnut tree; chestnuts; surname” in Chinese is栗lì
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.
When to use 栗
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'.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 栗
栗
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Practice writing 栗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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 shēnshang tòu zhe yī gǔ lěngmò， ràng tā bù hán ér lì。
There was a coldness in her that chilled him.
2
有些地方晚上真是让人不寒而栗。
yǒuxiē dìfang wǎnshang zhēnshi ràng rén bù hán ér lì。
There were certain places that were really creepy at night.
