Chinese Character: 粒
1. Character Basics
Radical: 米 (rice radical)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lì (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Grain; particle; granule; bead; pill; piece; seed; kernel; bit; drop
4. Common Words
- 粒子 (lìzǐ) - particle; grain
- 米粒 (mǐlì) - rice grain
- 颗粒 (kēlì) - granule; pellet
- 一粒 (yìlì) - one grain; one piece
- 药丸 (yào丸) - pill; tablet
- 沙粒 (shālì) - grain of sand
- 籽粒 (zǐlì) - seed; kernel
- 颗粒无收 (kēlì wú shōu) - total crop failure; no harvest at all
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "粒" is primarily used as a measure word for small, round or granular objects. It is also used as a noun referring to grains or particles.
Grammar Patterns:
- 作为量词 (measure word): 一粒米 (a grain of rice), 一粒糖 (a piece of candy), 一粒药丸 (a pill)
- 作为名词: 粒子 (particle), 颗粒 (granule), 籽粒 (seed)
- 四字成语: 颗粒归仓 (all grains collected into the granary), 颗粒无存 (not a single grain left)
- 常用搭配: 颗粒状 (granular), 粒细胞 (granulocyte), 粒状结构 (granular structure)
- Note: "粒" is most commonly used as a measure word for small, hard, round objects. For liquid drops, "滴" (dī) is usually preferred.
6. Cultural Background
The character "粒" has significant cultural importance in Chinese society, particularly in relation to food, agriculture, and traditional values.
In Chinese culture, rice is a staple food, and the character "粒" is often associated with rice grains. The phrase "粒粒皆辛苦" (lìlì jiē xīnkǔ) from the famous poem "悯农" (Pity the Farmer) by Li Shen emphasizes the hard work involved in producing each grain of rice, promoting the value of frugality and respect for labor.
Throughout Chinese history, the availability of grains has been closely tied to social stability. Phrases like "颗粒归仓" (all grains collected into the granary) reflect the importance of agricultural丰收 to the well-being of society.
The character "粒" also appears in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used to describe pills and medicinal granules.
In modern usage, "粒" has expanded beyond its original agricultural meaning to include scientific contexts, such as in the term "粒子" (particle) used in physics and chemistry.
The cultural significance of "粒" continues to be reflected in Chinese proverbs, poetry, and everyday language, highlighting the enduring connection between language and cultural values.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 农民伯伯辛苦种的粮食，我们要珍惜每一粒米。
Pinyin: Nóngmín bóbo xīnkǔ zhòng de liángshi, wǒmen yào zhēnxī měi yī lì mǐ.
English: We should cherish every grain of rice that farmers work so hard to grow.
8. Memory Tips
The character "粒" (lì) has 11 strokes and belongs to the 米 (rice) radical.
To remember the character:
- Break it down into its components: 米 (rice) + 立 (stand). You can imagine a grain of rice standing upright.
- Notice that it has 11 strokes and practice writing it following the correct stroke order
- Associate the character with its primary use as a measure word for small, round objects, especially grains of rice
- Remember the famous line "粒粒皆辛苦" (every grain comes from hard work) to connect the character with its cultural significance
- Use the pronunciation "lì" (Fourth tone) to help link the character with its sound