HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
to line up
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
row
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
file
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
series
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
column
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
列
liè
a line; to arrange, to classify
HSK 4, v, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #2547, Medium
liè(lie4) T4
1to arrange
2to line up
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March 24, 2026
列liè(lie4)
The character 列 (liè) primarily means 'to arrange' or 'to line up.' It is commonly used in contexts involving organization, such as lining up items in a row or classifying data in columns. The nuance implies a systematic or orderly arrangement, often seen in both physical and abstract contexts.
Strokes6Radical刂Frequency#2547DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of order is significant, especially in traditional practices such as feng shui, where arranging objects in a specific manner is believed to affect harmony and balance in one’s environment.
Memory Tip
Think of 列 (liè) as a line of soldiers standing in formation. The left side, 刀 (dāo), resembles a knife that cuts through chaos to create order, while the right side, 一, represents a straight line. Together, they symbolize the act of arranging things neatly in a row.
Meanings of 列
liè(lie4)
1to arrange
2to line up
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 列
列Simplified
6Strokes
刂Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#2547Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 列
Podcast: 列
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AI Study Notes for 列
Quick Contrast
排列 (pái liè, to arrange in order) vs 排 (pái, to arrange) — use 列 (liè) when emphasizing a systematic or orderly arrangement, especially in a structured format like lists or data.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 列 (liè) as a line of soldiers standing in formation. The left side, 刀 (dāo), resembles a knife that cuts through chaos to create order, while the right side, 一, represents a straight line. Together, they symbolize the act of arranging things neatly in a row.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding characters. 列 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in academic or organizational settings. Common collocations include 列出 (liè chū - to list out) and 列车 (liè chē - train).
HSK Study Tips
While 列 may not be directly included in the HSK vocabulary, it relates to words at this level that involve organization and order, such as 排 (pái - to arrange) and 清单 (qīng dān - list). Focus on its usage in phrases and practice writing with context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of order is significant, especially in traditional practices such as feng shui, where arranging objects in a specific manner is believed to affect harmony and balance in one’s environment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 列 (liè) with the character 排 (pái), which also means to arrange but implies a different context. For example, saying 列队 (liè duì - to line up) incorrectly when you mean 排队 (pái duì) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 列
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Grammar Patterns of 列
列 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 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Check the numbers below against the numbers on your card.
5
他们的休闲服系列瞄准的是追求时髦的13到25岁青少年。
tā mén de xiū xián fú xì liè miáo zhǔn de shì zhuī qiú shí máo de13 1325 dào 25 suì qīng。
Their range of leisurewear is aimed at fashion-conscious 13 to 25 year-olds.
6
医生们列举了大量病人被逐出医院的实例。
yī shēng mén liè jǔ le dà liáng bìng rén bèi zhú chū yī yuàn de shí lì。
The doctors gave numerous examples of patients being expelled from hospital.
7
一系列技术问题延误了新产品的上市。
yī xì liè jì shù wèn tí yán wù le xīn chǎn pǐn de shàng shì。
A series of technical foul-ups delayed the launch of the new product.
8
我们这一系列的药草茶不含防腐剂、色素以及人工调味品。
wǒ mén zhè yī xì liè de yào cǎo chá bù hán fáng fǔ jì、 、 sè sù yǐ jí rén gōng tiáo wèi。
Our range of herbal teas contain no preservatives, colourings or artificial flavourings.
9
这位于成本序列的一端。
zhè wèi yú chéng běn xù liè de yī duān。
It is at one end of the cost continuum.
10
这两天都将安排发出3列时刻不同的火车。
zhè liǎng tiān dū jiāng ān pái fā chū3 3 liè shí kè bù tóng de huǒ。
On both days, three very different trains will be timetabled.
Cultural Notes for 列
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, arranging items in a specific order is important for aesthetics and harmony, reflecting the philosophy of balance in one's environment.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of order is significant, especially in traditional practices such as feng shui, where arranging objects in a specific manner is believed to affect harmony and balance in one’s environment.
Word Family of 列
Compounds21
例li4example
烈lie4ardent
裂lie4to split
咧lie1to grimace, to grin
冽lie4cold and raw; pure, clear
趔lie4to stumble; to halt, to check
洌lie4clear, pure; to cleanse
栵
茢
蛚
劽
姴
峛
峢
挒
烮
迾
銐
颲
鮤
鴷
Words Containing This Character20
系列xìlièseries
列lièfile
以色列Israel
列车lièchē(railway) train列車
一系列yíxìlièa series of
列入lièrùto include on a list
排列páilièto arrange in order
序列sequence
列为lièwéito be classified as列為
行列hánglièranks
列出to list
列表list
下列following
前列腺prostate
前列the very front
列宁Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), Russian revolutionary leader列寧
并列bìnglièto be juxtaposed並列
列举lièjǔa list列舉
列队in formation (military)列隊
陈列chénlièto display陳列
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 例 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 列
Common phrases that include 列 (liè) are '列出' (liè chū), meaning 'to list out', and '列车' (liè chē), which means 'train' in the sense of a series of connected cars. These phrases highlight the character's meaning related to arrangement and series.
Use 列 (liè) when you are referring specifically to the act of lining things up or organizing in rows. It differs from characters like 排 (pái), which emphasizes the order of arrangement. Understanding the context will help you choose the right character.
列 (liè) means 'to arrange' or 'to line up'. It can also refer to a 'row', 'file', 'series', or 'column' in various contexts. This character is commonly used in both everyday situations and formal writing.
You can use 列 (liè) to describe the arrangement of items or people. For example, '他们排成一列' means 'They lined up in a row'. It's often used in contexts involving organization or categorization.
You can say 列出你的名字 (liè chū nǐ de míng zì) which means 'list your name.'
Yes, 列 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in contexts involving lists or organization.
Some synonyms include 排 (pái - to arrange) and 顺序 (shùn xù - order).
