利lì

利

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

The simplified form 利 (lì, "sharp, benefit") remains unchanged from traditional — a character born from the pairing of 禾 (grain) and 刀 (knife), originally depicting the act of harvesting grain with a blade. This elemental image of cutting evolved to mean "sharp" and then "advantageous," the logic as clean as the blade itself. As a radical, it appears in 梨 (pear), 犁 (plow), and 私 (private), each carrying that original sense of cutting or separating.

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Shuowen

利. The character combines 禾 (grain/stalk) with 刀 (blade) — a sharp sickle beside ripe grain, depicting the act of harvesting. This concrete image of cutting mature rice became the original meaning of "sharp" and "profitable," for to reap a bountiful harvest is the most fundamental benefit. The pairing of grain and blade has remained recognizable throughout three millennia of script evolution.

Pinyin

lì· HSK 2

利lì

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin