grain

JLPT N2 11 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of (lì)

The character is primarily used as a measure word for small, discrete particles or units such as grains, pills, or seeds. It quantifies countable small objects that are roughly spherical or granular in shape.

Common contexts

  • Counting grains of rice, sand, or other small particles.
  • Counting pills or capsules in medical contexts.
  • Describing tiny individual units in natural or manufactured materials.

Collocations and patterns

Notes

When using , the noun it modifies is usually a small, countable item. It differs from other measure words like (kē), which can also count small round objects but often implies a larger or more solid object like a tooth or a star. emphasizes the granularity or smallness of the item.

Avoid confusing with (lìzǐ), which means 'particle' in a scientific sense; alone is more common in everyday counting.

Use when you want to highlight the individual small units rather than a bulk amount.

Example Sentences

This bag of rice contains one thousand grains of rice.

The doctor prescribed me three pills.

There are many tiny grains of sand on the beach.