离lí
Character evolution
离
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Simplified · Today
繁体
Traditional Chinese
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Shuowen
The character 离 (lí) is formed by combining a bird (隹) and a net (罒), picturing a bird trapped in a net. This imagery originally represented being caught or separated, which extended to mean "to leave" or "to depart". The structure reflects the ancient practice of netting birds, and the simplified form comes from the cursive writing of 離.
Pinyin
lí· HSK 1