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Kotomora

裡

reverse, inside, palm, sole, rear, lining, wrong side

StatusJinmeiyōStrokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • リ

Kun'yomi

  • うち
  • うら

Meaning

裡 centers on the hidden or opposite side of something: the inside, the rear, the lining, or the wrong side. The palm and sole senses are specific applications of this inner/underside idea.

Most common words using 裡

  • 交際場裡こうさいじょうり

    social circles; arena of (fashionable) society

  • 国際場裡こくさいじょうり

    the international arena

  • 心裡しんり

    one's mind; the bottom of one's heart; inner feelings

  • 心裡留保しんりりゅうほ

    mental reservation; making a false declaration of intent

  • 競争場裡きょうそうじょうり

    arena of competition

Explore all words using 裡 →

Study

Etymology

裡 combines 衤 (clothing) with 里, which likely contributes the sound. The idea of the inside or lining of clothing extends to the general sense of inner or reverse side.

Meaning mnemonic

The clothing radical 衤 beside 里 suggests the inner lining of a garment. Picture turning a coat inside out to see its reverse side, the hidden part.

Reading mnemonic

For リ, imagine reaching inside the lining of a coat and pulling out a small reed (リード, riido) that was hidden there: reed -> リ, and the reed was on the reverse side.