How to Write 粒 (lì) — Meaning “Grain; granule; (classifier for small round things)”

Imagine a single grain of rice (米) standing up on its end (立) like a tiny soldier. This visual helps you remember that 粒 refers to a small grain or granule.

Write the left part 米 narrow and compact, using the standard stroke order (4 strokes). The right part 立 should be balanced and slightly taller than the left; avoid making the 米 too wide, which will make the character look uneven.

粒 means a small grain or granule and is used as a classifier for tiny round objects (like a grain of rice). 籼 (xiān) specifically refers to a type of long-grain rice, not a general grain. 籽 (zǐ) means 'seed' and usually refers to larger seeds, like watermelon seeds.

粒 is commonly used as a classifier for small, round items such as grains of rice (米粒), pills, beads, or seeds. For example, you say 一粒药 (one pill) or 一粒沙子 (a grain of sand). It appears often in daily life, even though it is not in the HSK official list.

Common words containing 粒 include: 米粒 (mǐ lì) — Grain of rice; 颗粒 (kē lì) — particle / grain / granule; 一粒 (yī lì) — a grain; a granule.