理
Character learning workspace

lǐ · science, reason, logic

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

HSK 3.0 · Level 6Frequency #1714
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 理

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
Step-by-step explorer

See how 理 is constructed

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

Loading stroke diagrams…

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

11Total strokes

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

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

王Key radical

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

Print and practise

Download a 理 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 理

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

lǐWords pronounced lǐ
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 理 sits in each complete thought.

Nǐ dào le gāi qù lǐ fā de shí hòu le.你到了该去理发的时候了。

It is time you had a haircut!

Source: Tatoeba #396111 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā shuō de wǒ hái shì méi yǒu quán bù lǐ jiě.他说的我还是没有全部理解。

I still don't understand everything he says.

Source: Tatoeba #1334019 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ shì wǒ de lǐ xiǎng qíng rén.你是我的理想情人。

You're the girl of my dreams.

Source: Tatoeba #1399732 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ ràng wǒ gē xiū lǐ wǒ de zì xíng chē.我让我哥修理我的自行车。

I had my brother repair my bicycle.

Source: Tatoeba #1366176 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zài wǒ kàn lái, tā shì yǒu dào lǐ de.在我看来,他是有道理的。

In my opinion, he is correct.

Source: Tatoeba #426367 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de guān diǎn shì hé lǐ de.他的观点是合理的。

His argument is rational.

Source: Tatoeba #912637 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 理 in context

  1. Say lǐ, then recall the core meaning: science, reason, logic.
  2. Write all 11 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 经理 (jīng lǐ), meaning “manager”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 理 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.