unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #63254, Very Hard
沥
lì
to strain or filter
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #63254, Very Hard
沥
lì
a trickle
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #63254, Very Hard
lì(li4) T4
1trickle, drip, dregs; to strain
2to drip
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March 24, 2026
沥(瀝)lì(li4)
The character 沥 (lì) primarily refers to the act of dripping or trickling, often in the context of liquids. It can also denote the residual dregs left behind after straining or filtering a liquid, emphasizing the separation of unwanted components from a desired one. This character is commonly used in culinary contexts, such as in cooking or beverage preparation.
Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#63254DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cooking, straining liquids is a common practice to ensure purity and flavor, making 沥 a relevant term in culinary discussions. The process of straining tea or broth reflects the importance of clarity and refinement in Chinese cuisine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a leaky tap that drips water slowly, creating a sound like 'lì.' Picture the water trickling down and forming small puddles, which helps you visualize the character's meaning of 'drip' or 'trickle.' The radical 水 (water) suggests its connection to liquids.
Meanings of 沥
lì(li4)
1trickle, drip, dregs; to strain
2to drip
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 沥
沥Simplified
瀝Traditional
7Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 沥
Podcast: 沥
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AI Study Notes for 沥
Quick Contrast
滴 (dī) refers specifically to the action of dripping, while 沥 (lì) emphasizes the process of straining or filtering liquids.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a leaky tap that drips water slowly, creating a sound like 'lì.' Picture the water trickling down and forming small puddles, which helps you visualize the character's meaning of 'drip' or 'trickle.' The radical 水 (water) suggests its connection to liquids.
Usage Notes
Learners might confuse 沥 with similar-sounding characters due to its subtle pronunciation. It’s often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in recipes. Be cautious of using the correct tones; the first tone (lì) is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
While 沥 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to related words like 滴 (dī, to drip) and 流 (liú, to flow), which are found in HSK levels 1 and 2. Focus on the context of liquids and actions related to them to build comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cooking, straining liquids is a common practice to ensure purity and flavor, making 沥 a relevant term in culinary discussions. The process of straining tea or broth reflects the importance of clarity and refinement in Chinese cuisine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 沥 with the character 漏 (lòu), which means 'to leak.' For example, saying '我沥水' (wǒ lì shuǐ) incorrectly when they mean 'I leaked water' instead of the intended 'I drained water.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沥
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Grammar Patterns of 沥
沥 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 4 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.
wǒ huán shì chí xù bù duàn dì shí dé le yī diǎn xué wèn de yú lì.
I did steadily pick up some crumbs of knowledge.
4
沥清铀矿和铜铀云母比纯铀的放射性强得多.
lì qīng yóu kuàng hé tóng yóu yún mǔ bǐ chún yóu de fàng shè xìng qiáng dé duō.
Pitchblende and chalcolite are much more radioactive than uranium itself.
Cultural Notes for 沥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cooking, straining liquids is a common practice to ensure purity and flavor, making 沥 a relevant term in culinary discussions. The process of straining tea or broth reflects the importance of clarity and refinement in Chinese cuisine.
Word Family of 沥
Words Containing This Character7
沥青asphalt瀝青
沥lìto drip瀝
呕心沥血to work one's heart out嘔心瀝血
淅沥(onom.) patter of rain淅瀝
披肝沥胆lit. to open one's liver and drip gall (idiom); wholehearted loyalty披肝瀝膽
沥青铀矿pitchblende (uranium ore)瀝青鈾礦
剖肝沥胆to be completely honest and sincere (idiom)剖肝瀝膽
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 沥青 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 沥
You can say, '将水沥干' (jiāng shuǐ lì gān), which means 'to drain the water.'
Yes, synonyms include 滴 (dī) for drip and 漏 (lòu) for leak, though they have slightly different usages.
It's more frequently used in cooking or specific contexts rather than casual conversation.
