犁 (lí) - Plow — an agricultural implement for turning over & to plow or till land

犁Tone 2

lí ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

犁 · lí

Plow — an agricultural implement for turning over soil;

to plow or till land;

also refers to plowing-like actions or shapes.

Plow — an agricultural implement for turning overto plow or till landalso refers to plowing-like actions or shapes.

Usage highlights

Plow the fieldIron plowOx plowPlowsharePlow handlePlow furrow

Synonyms

  • 耕— to plow, to till

Antonyms

  • 荒— waste, uncultivated

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The farmer uses a plow to till the field (用犁耕地).
  • This is an iron plow (铁犁).
  • They are plowing the field (犁田).
  • The ox pulls the plow (牛拉犁).

Collocations

  • Plow the field(犁田)
  • Iron plow(铁犁)
  • Ox plow(牛犁)
  • Plowshare(犁头)
  • Plow handle(犁柄)
  • Plow furrow(犁沟)

Idioms

  • Buy a gilt chest when all you need is a key — inappropriate means for a goal(买椟还珠)
  • To plow through a book — study diligently(犁庭扫闾)
  • To plow the spring and harvest the autumn — sow in spring, reap in autumn(犁春收秋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The plow is one of the most important agricultural tools in Chinese history, symbolizing agricultural civilization and hard work.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, the plow represents the foundation of society — agriculture, and is associated with diligence and sustenance.
  • The character 犁 combines 利 (benefit/sharp) and 牛 (ox), reflecting the use of oxen to pull plows for beneficial tilling.

FAQ