犁

lí

利 + 牛

Definitions

lí (noun,verb) plow

Etymology ideographic

To use an ox 牛 to harvest 刂 grain 禾; 利 also provides the pronunciation

About

With the ox radical ⽜ at its base, 犁 signifies an association with draft animals in agriculture. The upper component 利 serves as the phonetic and carries the meaning 'sharp'. The traditional form 犂 features a slightly different phonetic element. Both variations depict a sharp agricultural implement pulled by a strong animal, a plow for turning over heavy soil before planting.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

牛正在犁地。

Niú zhèngzài lí dì.

The ox is plowing the land.

拖拉机拉着犁前进。

Tuōlājī lā zhe lí qiánjìn.

The tractor is pulling the plow forward.

农民在春天犁田。

Nóngmín zài chūntiān lí tián.

Farmers plow the fields in spring.

这把犁非常锋利。

Zhè bǎ lí fēicháng fēnglì.

This plow is very sharp.

犁地之后需要播种。

Lí dì zhīhòu xūyào bōzhǒng.

After plowing, sowing is needed.

新犁比旧犁效率高。

Xīn lí bǐ jiù lí xiàolǜ gāo.

The new plow is more efficient than the old one.

他学会了使用牛犁。

Tā xuéhuìle shǐyòng niú lí.

He learned how to use the ox plow.

在现代农场，犁的使用减少了。

Zài xiàndài nóngchǎng, lí de shǐyòng jiǎnshǎo le.

In modern farms, the use of plows has decreased.

Related Characters

Component: 利

Component: 牛

犁