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励志 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
励志lìzhìto encourageHSK 7, unknown, rank #46673, Very Hard
励志lìzhìencouragementHSK 7, unknown, rank #46673, Very Hard
lìzhì(li4zhi4) T4
  1. 1to encourage
  2. 2encouragement
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March 24, 2026
励志(勵志)lìzhì(li4zhi4)

励志 (lìzhì) means to encourage or inspire someone to pursue their goals or ambitions. It is often used in the context of self-motivation and personal development, encouraging individuals to overcome challenges and strive for success.

Frequency#46673DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 励志 is often associated with self-help literature and motivational speeches, especially in educational contexts where students are encouraged to work hard and strive for excellence. It's common to see 励志 quotes in schools and workplaces.

Memory Tip

Think of 励 (lì) as 'leading' and 志 (zhì) as 'aspiration.' Imagine a coach leading a team, inspiring them to reach their goals. The character 励 resembles a person lifting their arms in encouragement, while 志 looks like a flag waving, symbolizing ambition.

Meanings of 励志

lìzhì(li4zhi4)
1to encourage
2encouragement
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 励志

励志Simplified
勵志Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 励志

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Podcast: 励志

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AI Study Notes for 励志

Quick Contrast

激励 (jīlì) vs 励志 (lìzhì): Use 激励 when referring to motivating someone through external encouragement, while 励志 focuses on self-motivation and personal aspirations.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 励 (lì) as 'leading' and 志 (zhì) as 'aspiration.' Imagine a coach leading a team, inspiring them to reach their goals. The character 励 resembles a person lifting their arms in encouragement, while 志 looks like a flag waving, symbolizing ambition.

Usage Notes

This term is generally used in informal contexts, such as motivational speeches or self-help discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 励行 (lìxíng), which means to put encouragement into action. Pay attention to the tones, as confusing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 励志 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to themes of motivation found in phrases related to personal goals. Focus on understanding how it can be used in motivational contexts and practice combining it with other words like 目标 (mùbiāo, goal).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 励志 is often associated with self-help literature and motivational speeches, especially in educational contexts where students are encouraged to work hard and strive for excellence. It's common to see 励志 quotes in schools and workplaces.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 励志 by pairing it with inappropriate subjects, such as saying '励志我' (lìzhì wǒ), which translates awkwardly. The correct form would be '励志自己' (lìzhì zìjǐ), meaning 'to encourage oneself.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 励志

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Component Characters

to encourage
HSK 57 strokes
View full entry
zhìaspiration
HSK 57 strokes
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Write 励志

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

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Usage Notes for 励志

Misuse of 励志Common Error

Learners often confuse 励志 with similar terms that imply motivation or inspiration but are not interchangeable.

1

他在励志演讲中分享了自己的故事。

He shared his story in an inspirational speech.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他在____演讲中分享了自己的故事。

He shared his story in an inspirational speech.

Cultural Notes for 励志

💡Did you know?

In modern Chinese culture,励志 (lìzhì) is often associated with self-help books and motivational speakers. These resources aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges, reflecting a growing emphasis on personal development.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 励志 is often associated with self-help literature and motivational speeches, especially in educational contexts where students are encouraged to work hard and strive for excellence. It's common to see 励志 quotes in schools and workplaces.

📜Proverb

A common Chinese saying is '有志者事竟成' (yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng), which means 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' This proverb aligns closely with the concept of 励志, encouraging perseverance and determination.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of motivation and encouragement is universal; however, in Western cultures, it often emphasizes individualism and personal achievement, whereas in Chinese culture, it can be more collective, focusing on family and societal expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions about 励志

励志 can be applied in daily life by setting personal goals and seeking out inspirational content, like books or speeches. Using 励志 as a guiding principle can help individuals stay motivated and focused on their aspirations.