俐

lì
亻 + 利

Definitions

lì used in 伶俐[líng lì]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 利 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 利

About

The character 俐 (lì) is a phono-semantic compound. The left-side semantic radical 亻 (rén) indicates a human-related meaning, while the right-side phonetic component 利 (lì) provides the pronunciation and contributes the sense of sharpness. This combination connects human attributes with keenness, forming a character that describes mental acuity or cleverness. It is seldom used alone, functioning almost entirely within the compound word "伶俐" (línglì), which means bright, quick-witted, and nimble, often describing a perceptive child or young person. The "sharp" quality of the phonetic component subtly reinforces the idea of a quick mind, allowing 俐 to convey an intelligence marked by rapid understanding and skillful execution.

Example Sentences Hide

她非常伶俐。

Tā fēicháng línglì.

She is very clever.

这个孩子真伶俐。

Zhège háizi zhēn línglì.

This child is really clever.

他做事很俐落。

Tā zuòshì hěn lìluo.

He does things very neatly.

妹妹比姐姐更伶俐。

Mèimei bǐ jiějie gèng línglì.

The younger sister is cleverer than the older sister.

他俐落地完成了任务。

Tā lìluo de wánchéngle rènwu.

He completed the task agilely.

虽然年纪小，但他说话很伶俐。

Suīrán niánjì xiǎo, dàn tā shuōhuà hěn línglì.

Although he is young, he speaks very cleverly.

她的回答既伶俐又得体，赢得了大家的赞赏。

Tā de huídá jì línglì yòu détǐ, yíngdéle dàjiā de zànshǎng.

Her answer was both clever and appropriate, winning everyone's admiration.

只有伶俐的头脑，才能在这种复杂的情况下做出俐落的决定。

Zhǐyǒu línglì de tóunǎo, cáinéng zài zhè zhǒng fùzá de qíngkuàng xià zuòchū lìluo de juédìng.

Only with a clever mind can one make agile decisions in such complex situations.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

他 们 你 作 但 使 体 什 代 信 化 位 任 何

Component: 利

莉 梨 犁 痢 蜊 猁 脷 唎 悧 梸 浰 琍 鬁

Example Words

伶俐 伶牙俐齿 巩俐 俐落