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隶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
隶lì>隶[lì]HSK 6, j, 8 strokes, radical 隶, rank #86159, Very Hard
隶lìattached toHSK 6, j, 8 strokes, radical 隶, rank #86159, Very Hard
隶lìscribeHSK 6, j, 8 strokes, radical 隶, rank #86159, Very Hard
隶lìsubservient; servantHSK 6, j, 8 strokes, radical 隶, rank #86159, Very Hard
lì(li4) T4
  1. 1>隶[lì]
  2. 2attached to
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March 24, 2026

隶(隷)lì(li4)

The character 隶 (lì) primarily refers to being attached to or subservient to someone or something, often used to describe a scribe or a servant in historical contexts. It can also denote a variant of the character 隸, which shares similar meanings. This term is often used in formal or historical discussions about administrative roles in ancient Chinese society.

Strokes8Radical隶Frequency#86159DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The character 隶 has historical significance in Chinese bureaucracy, often referring to the role of scribes who played a crucial part in record-keeping and governance during ancient dynasties. Scribes were essential in maintaining the order of society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scribe (隶) who is literally 'attached' (the radicals suggest connection) to a scroll, writing documents for an emperor. The character looks like a person standing next to something they are serving, helping you remember its meaning of servitude and attachment.

Meanings of 隶

lì(li4)
1attached to
2scribe
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 隶

隶Simplified
隷Traditional
8Strokes
隶Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6

Podcast: 隶

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Podcast: 隶

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AI Study Notes for 隶

Quick Contrast

隶 (lì) vs 隸 (lì) — use 隶 for modern contexts or when discussing the concept of being attached, while 隸 is more commonly used in classical or historical texts.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a scribe (隶) who is literally 'attached' (the radicals suggest connection) to a scroll, writing documents for an emperor. The character looks like a person standing next to something they are serving, helping you remember its meaning of servitude and attachment.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 隶 with 隸, which is a more common form. This character is typically used in formal historical contexts and may not appear in everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone; the pronunciation is 'lì', which is in the fourth tone, and mispronunciation could change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the official HSK levels, understanding 隶 can enhance comprehension of historical texts and administrative language. Focus on the relationship between this character and its variant 隸, as well as the context in which they are used.

Cultural Note

The character 隶 has historical significance in Chinese bureaucracy, often referring to the role of scribes who played a crucial part in record-keeping and governance during ancient dynasties. Scribes were essential in maintaining the order of society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 隶 with the third tone, as in 'lǐ', which is incorrect. Remember, it is pronounced 'lì' (fourth tone). Additionally, some may confuse it with 隸; it's important to note their usage differences.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 隶

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Etymology of 隶

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A hand 彐 threshing rice

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 隶?

Decomposition of 隶

IDS Structure⿱彐氺
隶Full Character
=
彐ji4
top
氺shui5
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 隶?

Write 隶

隶

Practice writing 隶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 隶

隶 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

共有73家工会____属于英国职工大会。

There are 73 unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.

Example Sentences for 隶 (2)

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1
共有73家工会隶属于英国职工大会。

gòng yǒu73 73 jiā gōng huì lì shǔ yú yīng guó zhí gōng dà。

There are 73 unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.
2
民国17年 ( 公元1928年 ), 交河县隶属河北省.

mín guó17 17( nián (1928 gōng), yuán 1928 nián ), jiāo hé xiàn lì.

In 17 years ( AD 1928 ), cross River County, Hebei Province under.

Cultural Notes for 隶

🏮Cultural insight

The character 隶 has historical significance in Chinese bureaucracy, often referring to the role of scribes who played a crucial part in record-keeping and governance during ancient dynasties. Scribes were essential in maintaining the order of society.

Word Family of 隶

Compounds11
康Kang1surname Kang
逮dai3(coll.) to catch
棣di4cherry; Kerria japonica
埭dai4dam; a ramp leading up to a canal
嫝
捸
殔
隷
隸li4subservient; servant
霴
齂
Words Containing This Character9
奴隶núlìslave奴隸
隶属to be attached to隸屬
奴隶制slavery奴隸制
奴隶主slave owner奴隸主
隶lìscribe隸
直隶Ming and Qing dynasty province directly administered by Beijing, including Beijing, Tianjin, most of Hebei and Henan and part of Shandong直隸
隶书clerical script隸書
奴隶社会slave-owning society (precedes feudal society 封建社會|封建社会 in Marxist theory)奴隸社會
奴隶制度slavery奴隸制度
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 康 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 隶

You might encounter 隶 in discussions about ancient Chinese history, particularly in reference to roles in government or administration.