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March 24, 2026
犁lí(li2)
The character 犁 (lí) refers to a tool used in agriculture for plowing soil. It signifies the act of turning over the earth to prepare for planting, commonly used in farming contexts. This term is essential in discussions about agriculture and rural life in China.
Strokes11Radical牛Frequency#24511DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, farming and agriculture hold significant importance, especially in rural communities where the plow symbolizes hard work and sustenance. Festivals related to harvest often celebrate this agricultural tool.
Memory Tip
Imagine a farmer with a large, iron plow (犁) cutting through the earth. The character has a radical that resembles a plow pushing through soil, and the 'l' sound in 'lí' can remind you of 'land' as in the land being plowed.
Meanings of 犁
lí(li2)
1to plow
2plow
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 犁
犁Simplified
11Strokes
牛Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 犁
Podcast: 犁
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AI Study Notes for 犁
Quick Contrast
犁 (lí) vs 耕 (gēng) — use 犁 when specifically referring to the plowing tool, while 耕 refers to the act of tilling or cultivating the land.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a farmer with a large, iron plow (犁) cutting through the earth. The character has a radical that resembles a plow pushing through soil, and the 'l' sound in 'lí' can remind you of 'land' as in the land being plowed.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 犁 (lí) with similar-sounding words. This term is generally used in a formal context, particularly when discussing agriculture. Common collocations include '犁地' (plow the field) and '犁耕' (plowing and tilling).
HSK Study Tips
While 犁 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with agricultural terms often found in levels 3 and above. Focus on the context of farming and rural settings to enhance understanding and usage.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, farming and agriculture hold significant importance, especially in rural communities where the plow symbolizes hard work and sustenance. Festivals related to harvest often celebrate this agricultural tool.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 犁 (lí) with 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason' or 'to manage.' For example, saying '我喜欢犁' (Wǒ xǐhuān lí) thinking it means 'I like reason' is incorrect; the correct context would be agricultural.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 犁
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Grammar Patterns of 犁
犁 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉____。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
Example Sentences for 犁 (8)
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1
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉犁。
zhè shì20 20 shì jì zǎo qī de sà sāi kè sī xiāng， cūn ， nà shí huán shì yòng mǎ。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
Better that I'd learned to plow or chop cotton like a darky.
8
深埋在泥土里的树根 、 石块, 磕绊着我的犁头, 消耗着我成倍的体力.
shēn mái zài ní tǔ lǐ de shù gēn、 、 shí, kuài , kē bàn zháo wǒ de, lí tóu , xiāo hào zháo wǒ chéng bèi.
Buried in soil in the roots, stones, knock my trip coerulea, consumption doubled my strength.
Cultural Notes for 犁
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, farming and agriculture hold significant importance, especially in rural communities where the plow symbolizes hard work and sustenance. Festivals related to harvest often celebrate this agricultural tool.
Word Family of 犁
Words Containing This Character15
犁líplow
伊犁the Ili river basin around Turpan in Xinjiang
犁头plowshare犁頭
犁地to plow
孙犁Sun Li (1913-2002), novelist孫犁
爬犁sledge
伊犁河Ili River in central Asia
伊犁哈萨克自治州Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang伊犁哈薩克自治州
步犁walking plow
犁铧plowshare犁鏵
尉犁县Lopnur nahiyisi or Yuli county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang尉犁縣
尉犁Lopnur nahiyisi or Yuli county in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 巴音郭楞蒙古自治州[BāyīnguōléngMěnggǔZìzhìzhōu], Xinjiang
开犁to start plowing開犁
犁骨vomer bone (in the nose, dividing the nostrils)
扒犁sledge
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 犁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 犁
You can say '他在春天开始犁地' (Tā zài chūntiān kāishǐ lí dì) meaning 'He starts plowing the field in spring.'
Yes, it is used in agricultural discussions and can also appear in historical texts about farming practices.
In Chinese, nouns typically do not have a plural form, so 犁 remains the same regardless of quantity.
