Chinese Character: 厘
1. Character Basics
Radical: 厂 (cliff radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lí (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Li (Chinese unit of length equal to 1/1000 of a chi or about 0.333 centimeters); 1/1000 of a yuan (Chinese currency unit); one thousandth; to measure carefully; to calculate precisely; to adjust; to regulate; to rectify; to correct
4. Common Words
- 厘米 (límǐ) - centimeter (cm)
- 厘金 (líjīn) - tax; duty
- 厘定 (lí dìng) - to determine; to fix; to set
- 厘正 (lí zhèng) - to rectify; to correct; to emend
- 毫厘 (háolí) - the least bit; a tiny fraction; negligible
- 厘米波 (límǐbō) - centimeter wave
- 厘革 (lí gé) - to reform; to change; to transform
- 厘分 (lí fēn) - to divide precisely; to split accurately
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "厘" is primarily used as a noun referring to a unit of measurement, both for length and currency.
Grammar Patterns:
- Used as a unit of length: 厘米 (centimeter)
- Used as a unit of currency: 一厘钱 (0.001 yuan)
- Used in compound words meaning "to measure carefully": 厘定 (to determine), 厘分 (to divide precisely)
- Used in phrases like "毫厘不差" (háolí bùchā) meaning "not a tiny bit off" or "exact to the smallest detail"
6. Cultural Background
The character "厘" has important cultural significance related to precision, measurement, and attention to detail in Chinese culture.
In traditional Chinese society, precise measurement was highly valued in fields such as construction, agriculture, and commerce.
The character is often used in idioms and expressions that emphasize the importance of precision, such as "差之毫厘，谬以千里" (chā zhī háolí, miù yǐ qiānlǐ) meaning "a small error at the beginning will lead to a large one in the end."
In Chinese philosophy, the concept of "厘" reflects the belief in the importance of careful calculation and exactness in all endeavors.
The character is also used in the context of tax collection and financial regulation in Chinese history.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 这把尺子的精度可以达到一厘米。
Pinyin: Zhè bǎ chǐzi de jīngdù kěyǐ dádào yī límǐ.
English: The precision of this ruler can reach one centimeter.
8. Memory Tips
The character "厘" (lí) consists of:
- The radical "厂" (cliff radical) on the top left
- The component "里" (lǐ, meaning mile or inside) on the right
To remember the character, think of it as "measuring precisely inside the cliff" or "a unit for measuring small distances."
Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help with memorization.
Associate the character with common words like "厘米" (centimeter) to reinforce its meaning as a unit of measurement.
Remember the idiom "差之毫厘，谬以千里" to understand the cultural importance of precision associated with this character.