李 Stroke Order — How to Write 李
李 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 木, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
李 Radical and Character Components
李 is a phono-semantic compound: 木 (wood) carries the meaning, while 子 indicates the sound.
Radical: 木 + 3 more strokes
李 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- lǐ
Meanings of 李 in Chinese
1
lǐ李
Plum tree; plum (fruit). Also commonly used in idioms like '李代桃僵' (one suffers for another), '投桃报李' (to return a favor), '李下不正冠' (to avoid suspicion), and '桃李不言，下自成蹊' (virtue attracts followers).
在生活中，我们应该学会投桃报李，才能与人建立长久的友谊。
In life, we should learn to return favors to build lasting friendships.
In archaic usage, '李' (lǐ) can be interchangeable with '理' (lǐ), referring to: an ancient judicial official or judge; reason, principle, or law; to punish; or a star name (associated with justice in ancient astronomy). This usage is primarily found in classical texts.
世间之李，恒循自然之序。
The principles of the world always follow the natural order.
Common Words and Phrases with 李
1
Li Bai (701-762), a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for his talent and often referred to as the 'Immortal Poet'.
李白是唐代一位伟大的浪漫主义诗人，他的诗歌充满了奇幻的想象。
Li Bai was a great Romantic poet of the Tang Dynasty, and his poetry is full of fantastical imagination.
2
Li Bing (lǐ bīng) was a Chinese hydraulic engineer and official during the Warring States period, famous for overseeing the construction of the Dujiangyan irrigation system.
都江堰水利工程是李冰父子主持修建的。
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System was built under the supervision of Li Bing and his son.
3
Wilhelm Liebknecht (1826-1900), a German socialist leader, co-founder of the Social Democratic Party, and a comrade of Marx and Engels.
在研究十九世纪欧洲社会思想时，李卜克内西的著作常被引用。
When studying 19th-century European social thought, Liebknecht's writings are often cited.
4
Li Dazhao (1889-1927), an early Marxist theoretician and one of the founders and leaders of the Communist Party of China.
李大钊作为一位学者，在探索中国社会发展方向上提出了许多独到见解，对当时的思想界产生了深远影响。
As a scholar, Li Dazhao offered many unique insights into the direction of China's social development, profoundly influencing the intellectual circles of his time.
5
To substitute one thing for another, often implying taking the place of or suffering for someone else.
为了保护弟弟，哥哥主动承认了错误，甘愿李代桃僵，替弟弟承担了惩罚。
To shield his younger brother, the elder brother voluntarily confessed to the error, willing to take the blame and suffer the consequences in his brother's stead.
6
Li Gongpu (Lǐ Gōngpǔ) was a patriotic democratic figure who was assassinated by Kuomintang authorities in Kunming in 1946.
李公朴先生生前致力于文化教育事业，对社会产生了深远影响
Mr. Li Gongpu dedicated his life to cultural and educational undertakings, leaving a profound impact on society.
7
Li He (790–816) was a prominent Tang Dynasty poet, known for his distinctive and often melancholic style, and for critically reflecting on the impracticality of contemporary literary works in the face of real-world issues like war.
李贺的诗歌想象力丰富，风格独特。
Li He's poetry is rich in imagination and unique in style.
8
Li Qingzhao (1084-c.1151), a renowned female poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, famous for her ci poetry.
李清照的词作风格清新婉约，流传至今依然深受喜爱。
Li Qingzhao's ci poems are known for their fresh and graceful style, and they remain deeply beloved to this day.
9
Li Shangyin (c. 813–858) was a celebrated poet of the late Tang Dynasty, known for his ornate and evocative verse. He is often associated with Du Mu as 'Xiao Li Du' and with Wen Tingyun as 'Wen Li'.
李商隐的诗歌以其优美的辞藻和深邃的意境而闻名，对后世文学产生了深远影响。
Li Shangyin's poetry is renowned for its beautiful diction and profound artistic conception, having a profound influence on later literature.
10
Li Shizhen (1518-1593) was a famous Chinese pharmacologist and physician during the Ming Dynasty, known for his monumental work "Compendium of Materia Medica".
李时珍撰写了《本草纲目》，对中医药学的发展做出了巨大贡献。
Li Shizhen compiled the 'Compendium of Materia Medica,' making immense contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
11
Li Yu (1611-c.1680), a prominent Chinese playwright, writer, and drama theorist from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, known for his plays like "Ten Plays by Li Weng" and short story collection "Twelve Towers."
李渔的戏曲作品以其独特的幽默感和对世俗生活的深刻洞察而闻名。
Li Yu's dramatic works are renowned for their distinctive sense of humor and profound insights into everyday life.
12
Li Yu (937–978), also known as Li Houzhu, was the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty. After the Song Dynasty conquered Southern Tang in 975, he was made a 'disobedient marquis' and lived as a captive for three years before ultimately being killed.
李煜的词作风格婉约，情真意切，对后世词坛影响深远。
Li Yu's ci poetry, known for its graceful and delicate style, expresses genuine emotions and has had a profound influence on subsequent ci poetry.
More words with 李
- táo桃lǐ李students, disciples
- lǐ李huá华Li Hua
- xiáo小lǐ李Xiao Li, Young Li
- xíng行li李luggage, baggage
- lǐ李jiào教shòu授Professor Li
- lǐ李xiān先sheng生Mr. Li
- lǐ李shèng晟Bright plum, Splendid plum
- lǐ李jīng经lǐ理Manager Li, Mr. Li, the manager
- lí李lǎo老shī师Teacher Li
- láo老lǐ李Old Li, Mr. Li
- lǐ李jiā家Li family, House of Li
- lǐ李ān盦Li An, Lee An
- lí李fǔ府Li Residence, Li's Mansion
- lǐ李gōng工Engineer Li, Mr. Li
- lǐ李míng明Li Ming
- lǐ李suō睃Li Suan, Li-Suan
- lǐ李zhāo钊Li Zhao
- lí李zǒng总General Manager Li, President Li
- xíng行li李fáng房left-luggage office, baggage room
- gá尕lǐ李Little Li, Young Li
Idioms with 李
- lǐ李xià下guā瓜tián田avoid situations that could lead to suspicion
- bì避lǐ李xián嫌guā瓜avoid suspicion
- fán凡táo桃sú俗lǐ李common or vulgar people or things
- fú浮guā瓜chén沉lǐ李enjoying cool food and drinks in summer
- guā瓜lǐ李zhī之xián嫌to be in a suspicious situation
- guā瓜tián田lǐ李xià下in a compromising situation
- táo桃lǐ李mén门qiáng墙teacher's many talented students
- táo桃lǐ李zhēng争huī辉Peach and plum blossoms vie for splendor
- táo桃lǐ李zhēng争yán妍Peach and plum blossoms competing in beauty
- tóu投táo桃bào报lǐ李return a favor for a favor
- zhāng张guān冠lǐ李dài戴to confuse one thing with another
- zhāng张sān三lǐ李sì四Tom, Dick, and Harry
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Open the tool →Questions about 李
What does 李 mean in Chinese?
李 (lǐ) means “Plum tree” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 李?
李 is pronounced lǐ in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 李 have?
李 has 7 strokes.
How do you write 李?
李 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 木. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 李?
The radical of 李 is 木, and 李 is a phono-semantic compound.