Learn a Chinese Character - 离

1. Character Basics

Radical: 亠 (lid radical)

Stroke Count: 10

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: lí (Second tone)

3. Meaning

To leave; to depart; to separate; to part; to be away from; to distance oneself from; to be divorced; to be absent; to remove; to take off; to detach; to disconnect; to isolate; to deviate from; to differ from

4. Common Words

• 离开 (líkāi) - to leave; to depart
• 分离 (fēnlí) - to separate; to part
• 距离 (jùlí) - distance; separation
• 离婚 (líhūn) - to divorce; divorce
• 离别 (líbié) - to leave; to part from; farewell
• 脱离 (tuōlí) - to break away from; to separate from
• 远离 (yuǎnlí) - to keep away from; to be far from
• 离心 (líxīn) - centrifugal; disloyal; estranged

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "离" is a versatile verb that expresses the concept of separation or distance in various contexts.

Grammar Patterns:

• Used as a verb meaning "to leave": 离开家 (líkāi jiā) - to leave home
• Used in the structure "离...很远/很近" (lí...hěn yuǎn/hěn jìn) meaning "to be far/close from": 离学校很近 (lí xuéxiào hěn jìn) - very close to the school
• Used in compound verbs: 分离 (to separate), 脱离 (to break away from)
• Used in noun compounds: 距离 (distance), 离别 (farewell)
• Used in the idiom pattern "离...越来越远" (lí...yuè lái yuè yuǎn) meaning "to get farther and farther from": 离目标越来越远 (lí mùbiāo yuè lái yuè yuǎn) - getting farther and farther from the goal

6. Cultural Background

The character "离" has profound cultural significance in Chinese culture, particularly regarding the themes of separation, distance, and relationships.

In traditional Chinese culture, which emphasizes family and community bonds, separation (离别) is often viewed with sadness and nostalgia. Many classical Chinese poems and songs express the pain of parting from loved ones.

The character is also used in the Chinese calendar and astrology. In the Chinese zodiac, "离" corresponds to the direction south and the element fire in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) system.

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of "离" is sometimes used to discuss the relationship between things and the importance of maintaining appropriate distance or connection.

The idiom "悲欢离合" (bēihuān líhé) meaning "joys and sorrows, partings and reunions" reflects the Chinese perspective on the natural cycles of human relationships.

Traditional Chinese weddings include rituals that symbolize the separation from one's family of origin and the joining of a new family.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "离" (lí) consists of:

• The radical "亠" (tóu, lid radical) on the top
• The component "禸" (róu, a character component meaning "animal tracks") in the middle
• The component "冂" (jiōng, a character component meaning "far" or "distant") on the bottom

To remember the character, think of it as "footprints under a roof moving far away" or "to leave footprints behind as one departs."

Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help with memorization.

Associate the character with common words like "离开" (to leave) and "距离" (distance) to reinforce its meaning.

Remember the cultural significance of the character in expressing the emotions and experiences related to separation and departure.