砺 (lì) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 砺 (lì) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 砺 (lì) means "whetstone / to grind". with 10 strokes and the radical 石.

Q: How do you write 砺 stroke by stroke?

砺 has 10 strokes. The radical is 石. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 砺 and 矸?

砺 (lì) and 矸 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 砺?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 石. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 砺?

Common words containing 砺 include: 磨砺 (mó lì) — sharpen / steel oneself; 砥砺 (dǐ lì) — To temper / To sharpen; 砺石 (lì shí) — whetstone / grinding stone.

How to Write 砺

The character 砺 (lì) is written with 10 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 石 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

砺 is pronounced lì in Mandarin Chinese. It means whetstone / to grind.

Common Words with 砺

磨砺 mó lì

sharpen / steel oneself

砥砺 dǐ lì

To temper / To sharpen

砺石 lì shí

whetstone / grinding stone

Example Sentences

困难可以磨砺意志。

kùn nán kě yǐ mó lì yì zhì

Difficulties can temper one's will.

我们要砥砺前行。

wǒ men yào dǐ lì qián xíng

We must forge ahead.

这是一块砺石。

zhè shì yī kuài lì shí

This is a whetstone.

Similar Characters

矸 gān

矻 kū

矽 xì

Practice Writing 砺 (lì)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 砺 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 砺

What does 砺 (lì) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 砺 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 砺 and 矸?

What mistakes do learners make writing 砺?

What common words use 砺?

How to Write 砺 (lì)