这里 (zhè lǐ) — here | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

这里 (zhè lǐ) means 'here' in standard spoken and written Chinese. 这儿 is a casual spoken variant; use 那里 for 'there'.

pronoun

here

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

这 (this) and 里 (inside) combine to mean here.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 這; 这 is its simplified writing.

辶言這

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk

Sound part声符shēngfú

言

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In the traditional form 這, 辶 (walk) combines with 言 for the sound. The character first meant “to meet” and was later used for “this”.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 裡; 里 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 里 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (里, 里面) it is 裡; in others (公里) it is 里 or 裏.

衤里裡

Meaning part形符xíngfú

衤Written in full as衣yīclothes

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

Same sound today

The form 裡 pairs 衤 (clothes) with 里 as a sound component.

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