Definition
来历 (lái lì) refers to the origin, background, or history of a specific person or thing, focusing on how it came to be. It is more specific than 历史 (lì shǐ, general history of a period or place) and emphasizes past events rather than the broader context of 背景 (bèi jǐng, which can also mean connections or backdrop).
noun
originbackgroundhistory (of a person or thing)
Examples
- 来历，。Zhège rén de lái lì hěn fùzá, shéi yě shuō bu qīngchu.This person's background is very complicated; nobody can explain it clearly.
- 来历？Nǐ zhīdào zhè jiàn wénwù de lái lì ma?Do you know the origin of this cultural relic?
- 来历。Tāmen gōngsī de lái lì kěyǐ zhuīsù dào yì bǎi nián qián.The history of their company can be traced back one hundred years.
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