隶 (lì) - To be subordinate to & a type of script in ancient China (clerical

隶Tone 4

lì ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 隶

俊梁

隶 · lì

To be subordinate to;

a type of script in ancient China (clerical script);

a servant or subordinate;

to capture.

To be subordinate toa type of script in ancient China (clericala servant or subordinate

Usage highlights

Clerical scriptTo be subordinate toSlave or servantClerical script calligrapherTo captureSubordinate official

Synonyms

  • 属— to belong to; subordinate
  • 从— to follow; subordinate
  • 奴— slave; servant

Antonyms

  • 主— master; principal
  • 首— chief; head

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He belongs to the marketing department (隶属于市场部).
  • This is an example of clerical script (隶书).
  • The prisoner was captured by soldiers (被士兵所隶).

Collocations

  • Clerical script(隶书)
  • To be subordinate to(隶属于)
  • Slave or servant(奴隶)
  • Clerical script calligrapher(隶人)
  • To capture(隶获)
  • Subordinate official(隶役)

Idioms

  • Strict and orderly(隶法严整)
  • Capture without fail(隶无不获)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a hand catching a tail, meaning 'to capture' or 'to subordinate'.
  • Later became associated with a style of Chinese calligraphy (clerical script) that developed during the Han dynasty.
  • In modern usage, often appears in words related to subordination or servitude.

FAQ