莉

lì

利 + 艹

Definitions

lì used in 茉莉[mò lì]; used in the transliteration of female names

Etymology

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

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 利

About

莉 is a phono-semantic compound: the 艹 (grass/plant) radical provides the meaning, and 利 (lì) gives the sound. It was coined to transcribe the name of the jasmine plant, appearing almost exclusively in the compound 茉莉 (mòlì), a plant valued for its fragrant white flowers used in tea and perfume. Because of these pleasant floral associations, 莉 is a popular choice in Chinese feminine given names, where it adds both a lyrical sound and a botanical grace.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的名字叫莉莉。

Wǒ de míngzi jiào Lìli.

My name is Lily.

这朵茉莉花很香。

Zhè duǒ mòlihuā hěn xiāng.

This jasmine flower is very fragrant.

莉莉喜欢喝茉莉花茶。

Lìli xǐhuan hē mòlihuā chá.

Lily likes to drink jasmine tea.

她的中文名字叫王莉。

Tā de Zhōngwén míngzi jiào Wáng Lì.

Her Chinese name is Wang Li.

茉莉花的香气充满了房间。

Mòlihuā de xiāngqì chōngmǎn le fángjiān.

The fragrance of jasmine filled the room.

这种洗发水含有茉莉精华。

Zhè zhǒng xǐfàshuǐ hányǒu mòli jīnghuá.

This shampoo contains jasmine extract.

莉香的笑容总是很温暖。

Lìxiāng de xiàoróng zǒng shì hěn wēnnuǎn.

Lixiang's smile is always very warm.

晚风送来了淡淡的莉香。

Wǎn fēng sòng lái le dàndàn de lì xiāng.

The evening breeze carried a faint scent of jasmine.

Related Characters

Component: 利

Component: 艹

莉