Definitions

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

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

莉 is a phono-semantic compound formed by the semantic radical 艹 (grass/plant) and the phonetic component 利, which indicates its pronunciation. It was created to transliterate the name of an introduced plant and is used almost exclusively in the compound 茉莉 (mòlì), meaning jasmine. This flower, prized for its fragrant white blossoms in teas and perfumes, associates the character with beauty and pleasant scent, making 莉 a popular choice in feminine given names for its floral and phonetic appeal.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的名字叫

Wǒ de míngzi jiào Lìli.

My name is Lily.

这朵茉花很香。

Zhè duǒ mòlihuā hěn xiāng.

This jasmine flower is very fragrant.

喜欢喝茉花茶。

Lìli xǐhuan hē mòlihuā chá.

Lily likes to drink jasmine tea.

她的中文名字叫王

Tā de Zhōngwén míngzi jiào Wáng Lì.

Her Chinese name is Wang Li.

花的香气充满了房间。

Mòlihuā de xiāngqì chōngmǎn le fángjiān.

The fragrance of jasmine filled the room.

这种洗发水含有茉精华。

Zhè zhǒng xǐfàshuǐ hányǒu mòli jīnghuá.

This shampoo contains jasmine extract.

香的笑容总是很温暖。

Lìxiāng de xiàoróng zǒng shì hěn wēnnuǎn.

Lixiang's smile is always very warm.

晚风送来了淡淡的香。

Wǎn fēng sòng lái le dàndàn de lì xiāng.

The evening breeze carried a faint scent of jasmine.