unknown, 10 strokes, radical 石, rank #86997, Very Hard
lì(li4) T4
1gravel, pebbles
2small stone
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March 24, 2026
砾(礫)lì(li4)
The character 砾 (lì) refers to small stones or gravel, often found in construction or as part of landscaping. It is commonly used in contexts related to building materials, nature, or gardening, where the presence of small rocks is significant.
Strokes10Radical石Frequency#86997DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese landscaping, gravel plays a key role in creating serene rock gardens (枯山水), which symbolize harmony and simplicity, reflecting cultural values of nature and tranquility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'little' rock (lì sounds like 'little') that you can easily pick up and throw. Visualize a pile of gravel that looks like tiny pebbles, scattered around a construction site, to help remember its meaning.
Meanings of 砾
lì(li4)
1gravel, pebbles
2small stone
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 砾
砾Simplified
礫Traditional
10Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 砾
Podcast: 砾
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AI Study Notes for 砾
Quick Contrast
碎石 (suì shí, crushed stone) — use 砾 (lì) for small, loose stones in natural settings, while 碎石 (suì shí) refers to processed or crushed stones used in construction.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'little' rock (lì sounds like 'little') that you can easily pick up and throw. Visualize a pile of gravel that looks like tiny pebbles, scattered around a construction site, to help remember its meaning.
Usage Notes
When using 砾, it's important to remember that it typically refers to small stones rather than larger rocks. It is more formal in tone and might not be used in casual conversation. Common collocations include 砾石 (gravel stone) and 砾土 (gravel soil).
HSK Study Tips
Though 砾 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to other words about nature and materials at similar levels, such as 石 (shí, stone) and 土 (tǔ, earth). Focus on recognizing it in context and using it accurately in descriptions of landscapes or construction.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese landscaping, gravel plays a key role in creating serene rock gardens (枯山水), which symbolize harmony and simplicity, reflecting cultural values of nature and tranquility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 砾 with 石 (shí, stone), using them interchangeably. Remember that 砾 is for small stones, while 石 refers to stones in general.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 砾
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Grammar Patterns of 砾
砾 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
两个小伙子正在松散的____石路面上赛摩托车。
Two young men were racing motorcycles on the loose gravel.
Example Sentences for 砾 (10)
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1
两个小伙子正在松散的砾石路面上赛摩托车。
liǎng gè xiǎo huǒ zǐ zhèng zài sōng sàn de lì shí lù miàn shàng sài mó tuō chē。
Two young men were racing motorcycles on the loose gravel.
2
无法把所有的沙砾都清除干净。
wú fǎ bǎ suǒ yǒu de shā lì dū qīng chú gān jìng。
You'll never quite get rid of every last bit of grit.
3
成千上万的尸体仍然被埋在碎石瓦砾下。
chéng qiān shàng wàn de shī tǐ réng rán bèi mái zài suì shí wǎ lì xià。
Thousands of bodies are still buried under the rubble.
4
这座14世纪的大教堂变成了一堆瓦砾。
zhè zuò14 14 shì jì de dà jiào táng biàn chéng le yī duī wǎ。
The fourteenth century cathedral was reduced to a mass of rubble.
5
砂岩和砾岩分别是砂和砾石固结的产物.
shā yán hé lì yán fēn bié shì shā hé lì shí gù jié de chǎn wù.
Sandstone and conglomerate are the consolidated equivalent of sand and gravel.
6
水从砂砾地上奔流而过。
shuǐ cóng shā lì dì shàng bēn liú ér guò。
Water runs through the gravelly soil very quickly.
7
含矿主岩整合地上覆于硅质燧石角砾石带之上.
hán kuàng zhǔ yán zhěng hé dì shàng fù yú guī zhì suì shí jiǎo lì shí dài zhī shàng.
The host rock conformably overlies a band of siliceous chertybrecia.
Michael pointed out to me that amongst the rubble, there was one building that remained untouched.
Cultural Notes for 砾
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese landscaping, gravel plays a key role in creating serene rock gardens (枯山水), which symbolize harmony and simplicity, reflecting cultural values of nature and tranquility.
Word Family of 砾
Words Containing This Character8
瓦砾rubble瓦礫
砾石gravel礫石
沙砾grains of sand沙礫
砾lìgravel礫
砂砾grit砂礫
砾岩conglomerate (geology)礫岩
漂砾boulder漂礫
火山砾lapillus火山礫
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 瓦砾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 砾
It is pronounced as lì, with a falling tone.
No, 砾 specifically refers to small stones or gravel; for larger stones, use 石 (shí).
