隶

隷/隸

lì

Definitions

lì (noun) subordinate; servant

lì (verb) to belong to; to attach to

Etymology

Depicts a hand (又) grabbing a tail (尾) from behind. Based on the original meaning "catch from behind", now written as 逮. Also used as the simplified form of 隸.

About

The character 隶, simplified from 隸, originated as an ideograph depicting a hand seizing an animal's tail, conveying capture. Its meaning evolved from the act of capturing to the captured person, denoting a slave, servant, or subordinate bound to a master. This extended to abstract subordination to authority. Additionally, 隶 designates clerical script, an angular calligraphic style that standardized writing for administration.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书属于图书馆。

Zhè běn shū shǔyú túshūguǎn.

This book belongs to the library.

古代社会有奴隶和主人。

Gǔdài shèhuì yǒu núlì hé zhǔrén.

Ancient societies had slaves and masters.

这些部门都隶属于总公司。

Zhèxiē bùmén dōu lìshǔ yú zǒnggōngsī.

These departments are all subordinate to the head office.

他专门研究汉代的隶书。

Tā zhuānmén yánjiū hàndài de lìshū.

He specializes in studying the clerical script of the Han Dynasty.

废除奴隶制是历史的进步。

Fèichú núlì zhì shì lìshǐ de jìnbù.

Abolishing slavery was progress in history.

该地区的管辖权隶于中央。

Gāi dìqū de guǎnxiáquán lì yú zhōngyāng.

The jurisdiction over this region belongs to the central government.

清代直隶省的范围很大。

Qīngdài zhílì shěng de fànwéi hěn dà.

The territory of the directly subordinate province in the Qing Dynasty was very large.

这种字体由篆书演变到隶书。

Zhè zhǒng zìtǐ yóu zhuànshū yǎnbiàn dào lìshū.

This type of font evolved from seal script to clerical script.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 隶

隶