Definitions

lie (particle) modal particle expressing exclamation
liě (verb) to draw back corners of mouth
liē (noun) sound of laughter

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the radical (mouth) indicates the meaning is related to oral actions or sounds, and the component gives the pronunciation. The character describes drawing back the corners of the mouth, often baring the teeth, and can convey grinning, grimacing, or the expression of a child about to cry. It is frequently used for the facial expression and accompanying vocalizations of a crying child.

Example Sentences Hide

今天天气好

Jīntiān tiānqì hǎo lie.

Today the weather is good.

他在睡觉

Tā zài shuìjiào lie.

He is sleeping.

我们回家

Wǒmen huí jiā lie.

We are going home.

你快点来

Nǐ kuài diǎn lái lie.

Come quickly.

事情办完

Shìqing bàn wán lie.

The matter is done.

嘴笑了。

Tā liě zuǐ xiào le.

He grinned and laughed.

了,安静点。

Bié liē lie le, ānjìng diǎn.

Stop babbling, be quiet.

她高兴得合不拢嘴

Tā gāoxìng de hé bù lǒng zuǐ lie.

She was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth.