离
Character learning workspace

chī / lí · rare beast

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 2HSK 3.0 · Level 2Frequency #912
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 离

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

离 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

chī

mythical beast (archaic)

lí

to leave; to part from; to be away from

离开lí kāi · to depart
Step-by-step explorer

See how 离 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

10Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

禸Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 离 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 离

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

líto leave; to part from; to be away from
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 离 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ bù xiǎng yào nǐ lí kāi.我不想要你离开。

I don't want you to leave.

Source: Tatoeba #9423586 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ xiǎng yào yì sōu chuán dài wǒ yuǎn lí zhè lǐ.我想要一艘船带我远离这里。

I want a boat that will take me far away from here.

Source: Tatoeba #333906 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ jiù yào lí kāi le.我就要离开了。

I was just about to leave.

Source: Tatoeba #5845642 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù néng lí kāi, hái tài zǎo le.我不能离开,还太早了。

I cannot leave. It's too early.

Source: Tatoeba #8928645 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bú huì lí kāi nǐ.我不会离开你。

I won't leave you.

Source: Tatoeba #11294956 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā kàn le tā yì yǎn jiù mǎ shàng lí kāi le.他看了她一眼就马上离开了。

With a glance of her, he left swiftly.

Source: Tatoeba #1753206 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 离 in context

  1. Say chī / lí, then recall the core meaning: rare beast.
  2. Write all 10 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 离开 (lí kāi), meaning “to depart”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 离 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.