Definitions

liè (adjective) fierce; intense
liè (adjective) ardent; passionate
liè (adjective) upright; righteous
liè (noun) achievement; exploit

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "烈" derives from an early association with fierce fire, its structure combining the phonetic component "列" with the fire radical "灬" to visually suggest blazing intensity. Initially conveying literal fiery force, its meaning gradually extended to describe vehement emotions, violent phenomena, and later, a kind of unwavering moral fervour, as seen in classical compounds like "烈士" which denotes a steadfast or sacrificial individual. This semantic expansion from physical to abstract realms of intensity occurred while the character's graphical form remained largely unchanged, maintaining its core conceptual link to extreme degrees of strength or passion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

日当空照。

Liè rì dāng kōng zhào.

The scorching sun shines overhead.

他性格很刚

Tā xìnggé hěn gāngliè.

He has a very fiery and unyielding personality.

会场里气氛很热

Huìchǎng lǐ qìfēn hěn rèliè.

The atmosphere in the meeting hall is very warm and enthusiastic.

战士们与敌人展开了激战斗。

Zhànshì men yǔ dírén zhǎnkāile jīliè zhàndòu.

The soldiers engaged in fierce combat with the enemy.

他的言辞中流露出强的爱国情感。

Tā de yáncí zhōng liúlù chū qiángliè de àiguó qínggǎn.

His words reveal a strong sense of patriotism.

这股强的飓风造成了巨大的破坏。

Zhè gǔ qiángliè de jùfēng zàochéngle jùdà de pòhuài.

This powerful hurricane caused massive destruction.

面对如此猛的攻击,防线很快就被突破了。

Miàn duì rúcǐ měngliè de gōngjī, fángxiàn hěn kuài jiù bèi tūpò le.

Faced with such a fierce attack, the defense line was quickly breached.

这场思想领域内新旧观念的激冲突,是时代变迁的缩影。

Zhè chǎng sīxiǎng lǐngyù nèi xīn jiù guānniàn de jīliè chōngtū, shì shídài biànqiān de suōyǐng.

The intense conflict between new and old ideas in the realm of thought is a microcosm of the changes of the times.