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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'li' (unit of length) with the classifier 里 (lǐ)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 里

    Explanation

    里 (lǐ) is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately 500 meters or one-third of a mile. It is used as a classifier after a number to express distance. For example, 二三里 means 'two or three li.'

    Examples

    • 学校离我家只有两三里路。

      Xuéxiào lí wǒ jiā zhǐ yǒu liǎng sān lǐ lù.

      The school is only two or three li from my home.

    • 他每天跑五里地锻炼身体。

      Tā měi tiān pǎo wǔ lǐ dì duànliàn shēntǐ.

      He runs five li every day to exercise.

    • 这个村子离县城还有十里。

      Zhège cūnzi lí xiànchéng hái yǒu shí lǐ.

      This village is still ten li from the county seat.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'li' (unit of length) with the classifier 里 (lǐ) | Chinese Grammar