unknown, 11 strokes, radical 牛, rank #24511, Very Hard
lí(li2) T2
1to plow
2plow
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March 24, 2026
犁lí(li2)
The character 犁 (lí) refers to a tool used in agriculture for plowing soil. It signifies the act of turning over the earth to prepare for planting, commonly used in farming contexts. This term is essential in discussions about agriculture and rural life in China.
Strokes11Radical牛Frequency#24511DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, farming and agriculture hold significant importance, especially in rural communities where the plow symbolizes hard work and sustenance. Festivals related to harvest often celebrate this agricultural tool.
Memory Tip
Imagine a farmer with a large, iron plow (犁) cutting through the earth. The character has a radical that resembles a plow pushing through soil, and the 'l' sound in 'lí' can remind you of 'land' as in the land being plowed.
Meanings of 犁
lí(li2)
1to plow
2plow
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 犁
犁Simplified
11Strokes
牛Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 犁
Podcast: 犁
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AI Study Notes for 犁
Quick Contrast
犁 (lí) vs 耕 (gēng) — use 犁 when specifically referring to the plowing tool, while 耕 refers to the act of tilling or cultivating the land.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 犁 (lí) with similar-sounding words. This term is generally used in a formal context, particularly when discussing agriculture. Common collocations include '犁地' (plow the field) and '犁耕' (plowing and tilling).
HSK Study Tips
While 犁 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with agricultural terms often found in levels 3 and above. Focus on the context of farming and rural settings to enhance understanding and usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 犁 (lí) with 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason' or 'to manage.' For example, saying '我喜欢犁' (Wǒ xǐhuān lí) thinking it means 'I like reason' is incorrect; the correct context would be agricultural.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 犁
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1The giveawayTo use an ox 牛 to harvest 刂 grain 禾; 利 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 犁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 犁?
Decomposition of 犁
IDS Structure⿱利牛
犁Full Character
=
利Li4
top
牛Niu2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 犁?
How to say to plow in Chinese
“to plow” in Chinese is犁lí
The character 犁 (lí) refers to a tool used in agriculture for plowing soil. It signifies the act of turning over the earth to prepare for planting, commonly used in farming contexts. This term is essential in discussions about agriculture and rural life in China.
When to use 犁
Be cautious not to confuse 犁 (lí) with similar-sounding words. This term is generally used in a formal context, particularly when discussing agriculture. Common collocations include '犁地' (plow the field) and '犁耕' (plowing and tilling).
犁 or something close to it
犁 (lí) vs 耕 (gēng) — use 犁 when specifically referring to the plowing tool, while 耕 refers to the act of tilling or cultivating the land.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 犁 (lí) with 理 (lǐ), which means 'reason' or 'to manage.' For example, saying '我喜欢犁' (Wǒ xǐhuān lí) thinking it means 'I like reason' is incorrect; the correct context would be agricultural.
Write 犁
犁
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Practice writing 犁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 犁
犁 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
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉____。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
Example Sentences for 犁 (8)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这是20世纪早期的萨塞克斯乡村，那时还是用马拉犁。
zhè shì20 20 shì jì zǎo qī de sà sāi kè sī xiāng， cūn ， nà shí huán shì yòng mǎ。
This is early-20th-century rural Sussex, when horses still pulled the plough.
