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来历 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
来历láilìhistoryHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, rank #13305, Very Hard
来历láilìantecedentsHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, rank #13305, Very Hard
来历láilìoriginHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, rank #13305, Very Hard
láilì(lai2li4)lai li T2
  1. 1history
  2. 2antecedents
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March 24, 2026

来历(來歷)láilì(lai2li4)

来历 refers to the origin or background of something, often used in contexts where one seeks to understand a person's history or the source of an object. It can imply the circumstances leading up to a situation or an individual’s past experiences, and is commonly used in discussions about personal, cultural, or historical narratives.

Strokes11Frequency#13305DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding one's 来历 is often seen as important for establishing identity and social connections, particularly during family gatherings or when discussing heritage.

Memory Tip

Think of 来 as 'to come' and 历 as 'history' — together, they suggest coming from a history. Picture someone tracing their family tree, coming from various historical branches, to remember 来历 as a way to uncover origins.

Meanings of 来历

láilì(lai2li4)
1history
2antecedents
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 来历

来历Simplified
來歷Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13305Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 来历

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Podcast: 来历

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AI Study Notes for 来历

Quick Contrast

来源 (láiyuán) - use 来历 when emphasizing the background story or history, while 来源 focuses more on the source or origin without the historical context.

Usage Notes

While 来历 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, it is crucial to use it when discussing backgrounds or origins specifically. A common mistake is to confuse it with 来到, which means 'to arrive.' Ensure you use 来历 when referring to history or antecedents instead.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 来历 connects well with other words related to backgrounds and histories, such as 文化 (culture) and 背景 (background). Focus on its usage in storytelling or explaining origins in both writing and speaking.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 来历 with 来到, mistakenly saying '他的来到很复杂' instead of '他的来历很复杂.' Remember that 来历 refers to background, not arrival.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 来历

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Component Characters

来láito come
HSK 17 strokes木
View full entry
历lìcalendar
HSK 34 strokes厂
View full entry

How to say history in Chinese

“history” in Chinese is来历láilì

来历 refers to the origin or background of something, often used in contexts where one seeks to understand a person's history or the source of an object. It can imply the circumstances leading up to a situation or an individual’s past experiences, and is commonly used in discussions about personal, cultural, or historical narratives.

When to use 来历

While 来历 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, it is crucial to use it when discussing backgrounds or origins specifically. A common mistake is to confuse it with 来到, which means 'to arrive.' Ensure you use 来历 when referring to history or antecedents instead.

来历 or something close to it

来源 (láiyuán) - use 来历 when emphasizing the background story or history, while 来源 focuses more on the source or origin without the historical context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 来历 with 来到, mistakenly saying '他的来到很复杂' instead of '他的来历很复杂.' Remember that 来历 refers to background, not arrival.

Write 来历

来
历

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

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Grammar Patterns of 来历

来历 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

得克萨斯州与墨西哥的贸易往____史悠久。

Texas has a long history of trade with Mexico.

Example Sentences for 来历 (1)

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1
得克萨斯州与墨西哥的贸易往来历史悠久。

dé kè sà sī zhōu yǔ mò xī gē de mào yì wǎng lái lì shǐ yōu jiǔ。

Texas has a long history of trade with Mexico.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 来历

You might say, '他的来历很复杂,' meaning 'His background is quite complicated.'

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