Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
经历(經歷)jīnglì(jing1li4)
经历 (jīnglì) refers to the experiences one has encountered or gone through in life. It can denote both personal experiences, such as events or situations that have impacted one's life, and professional experiences in a work context.
Strokes12Frequency#801DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharing one’s 经历 is often seen as a way to impart wisdom and connect with others on a deeper level, especially in storytelling contexts. It is common for elders to share their life experiences during family gatherings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a journey where you 'pass through' (经历) various landscapes, each representing a unique experience. The top part '经' looks like a path, while the bottom '历' resembles a person walking through their life's journey, making it easier to remember its meaning.
Meanings of 经历
jīnglì(jing1li4)
1experience
2to experience
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 经历 means.
About 经历
经历Simplified
經歷Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#801Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 经历
Podcast: 经历
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 经历
Quick Contrast
经历 (jīnglì) vs 经验 (jīngyàn) — use 经历 for specific life events or situations, while 经验 refers more generally to accumulated knowledge or skills from those experiences.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 经历 with 经验 (jīngyàn), which means 'experience' in a more practical or skill-based sense. Use 经历 to refer to life experiences, and remember it can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 经历 connects with other terms related to life and work experiences. Focus on using it in sentences that illustrate personal growth or professional development to enhance your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 经历 and 经验. For example, saying '我有很多经验' (I have a lot of experiences) is incorrect if referring to life events; it should be '我有很多经历.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 经历
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 经历 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 经历 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 经历?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 经历 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
经历 (jīnglì) refers to the experiences one has encountered or gone through in life. It can denote both personal experiences, such as events or situations that have impacted one's life, and professional experiences in a work context.
When to use 经历
Common mistakes include confusing 经历 with 经验 (jīngyàn), which means 'experience' in a more practical or skill-based sense. Use 经历 to refer to life experiences, and remember it can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
经历 or something close to it
经历 (jīnglì) vs 经验 (jīngyàn) — use 经历 for specific life events or situations, while 经验 refers more generally to accumulated knowledge or skills from those experiences.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 经历 and 经验. For example, saying '我有很多经验' (I have a lot of experiences) is incorrect if referring to life events; it should be '我有很多经历.'
Write 经历
经
历
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 经历 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 经历
经历 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.