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利索 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
利索lìsuonimbleHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #13471, Very Hard, colloquial
lìsuo(li4suo5)li suo T4
  1. 1nimble
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March 24, 2026

利索lìsuo(li4suo5)

利索 (lì suǒ) describes someone or something that is quick, agile, and efficient in movement or action. It is often used to characterize a person who can perform tasks with ease and speed, showcasing a level of proficiency that is impressive and admirable.

Strokes17Frequency#13471DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being described as 利索 can be a compliment, often reflecting not just physical agility but also mental sharpness and efficiency in handling tasks, which is highly valued in professional settings.

Memory tip

Imagine a nimble cat (利) effortlessly leaping (索) between branches in a tree. The character 利 suggests benefit or advantage, and when combined with 索, it represents the ease and agility of the cat, making it memorable that '利索' means nimble.

Meanings of 利索

lìsuo(li4suo5)
1nimble
Exercise 1 of 3

By ear

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About 利索

利索Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 利索

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Podcast: 利索

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AI study notes for 利索

Quick Contrast

灵活 (línghuó) - choose 利索 when emphasizing efficiency and proficiency in action, while 灵活 focuses more on flexibility and adaptability.

Usage Notes

利索 is commonly used in informal contexts, often to praise someone's skills or quickness. Learners should avoid confusion with similar-sounding words; ensure proper tone usage, as a mispronunciation could change the meaning. Typical collocations include '动作利索' (nimble movements) or '反应利索' (quick reactions).

HSK Study Tips

Though not an official HSK word, 利索 embodies traits of higher-level vocabulary related to skill and efficiency. Students should focus on using it in appropriate contexts, such as describing someone's work performance or physical activity, linking it to other HSK vocabulary about actions and qualities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often incorrectly use 利索 to describe something that is simply fast, missing the nuance of agility and skill. For example, saying '他的跑步很利索' (His running is nimble) could be misleading if the context doesn't highlight skillful movement.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 利索

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Component characters

利lìsharp
HSK 67 strokes刂
View full entry
索Suǒto search
10 strokes糸
View full entry

How to say nimble in Chinese

“nimble” in Chinese is利索lìsuo

利索 (lì suǒ) describes someone or something that is quick, agile, and efficient in movement or action. It is often used to characterize a person who can perform tasks with ease and speed, showcasing a level of proficiency that is impressive and admirable.

When to use 利索

利索 is commonly used in informal contexts, often to praise someone's skills or quickness. Learners should avoid confusion with similar-sounding words; ensure proper tone usage, as a mispronunciation could change the meaning. Typical collocations include '动作利索' (nimble movements) or '反应利索' (quick reactions).

利索 or something close to it

灵活 (línghuó) - choose 利索 when emphasizing efficiency and proficiency in action, while 灵活 focuses more on flexibility and adaptability.

What learners get wrong

Learners often incorrectly use 利索 to describe something that is simply fast, missing the nuance of agility and skill. For example, saying '他的跑步很利索' (His running is nimble) could be misleading if the context doesn't highlight skillful movement.

Write 利索

利
索

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

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Common confusions with 利索

利索vs利
lì

Similar pronunciation and shape but different meanings.

利索vs索
suǒ

Similar sound but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “nimble”?

or

Usage Notes for 利索

Misuse in contextCommon Error

利索 is often misused in formal contexts where more standard terms should be used.

1

在正式场合上,使用利索可能不太合适。

Using '利索' in formal occasions may not be appropriate.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

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

在正式场合上,使用____可能不太合适。

Using '利索' in formal occasions may not be appropriate.

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Cultural Notes for 利索

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While being nimble can also be valued in Western cultures, the emphasis on efficiency and quick adaptability in Chinese culture often carries a stronger implication of social approval and professional success.

Frequently asked questions about 利索

利索 is typically used in informal contexts to describe someone's agility or efficiency. It's appropriate in conversations about work, sports, or any situation where quickness is notable.

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