李
plum
Readings
On'yomi
- リ
Kun'yomi
- すもも
Nanori
- もも
- い
Meaning
李 centers on the plum fruit, specifically the Japanese plum (Prunus salicina). It refers to the tree and its fruit.
Most common words using 李
- 李すもも
Japanese plum (Prunus salicina); Chinese plum
- 桃李とうり
peach and plum
- 行李こうり
wicker trunk; wicker luggage
- スピノサ李スピノサすもも
blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); sloe
- ヨーロッパ李ヨーロッパすもも
common European plum
- 干し李ほしすもも
prune
- 張三李四ちょうさんりし
the common run of men; the average Joe; good-for-nothing (person)
- 李下りか
underneath a Japanese plum tree
- 李下に冠を正さずりかにかんむりをたださず
leave no room for scandal; don't do anything that can be misinterpreted; don't straighten your cap under a plum tree (because when you raise your hands it might look as if you're trying to steal the plums)
- 李下瓜田りかかでん
be careful not to invite the least suspicion; leave no room for scandal
- 李朝りちょう
Joseon dynasty (Korea, 1392-1910); Yi dynasty
- 李氏朝鮮りしちょうせん
Joseon dynasty (of Korea; 1392-1910); Yi dynasty
- 李花りか
plum blossoms
- 柳行李やなぎごうり
wicker trunk
- 桃李もの言わざれども下自ら蹊を成すとうりものいわざれどもしたおのずからみちをなす
a man of virtue will naturally attract admirers; good wine speaks for itself
- 桃李満門とうりまんもん
gathering of excellent and capable people
- 瓜田李下かでんりか
be careful not to invite the least suspicion; leave no room for scandal
- 紅葉李べにばすもも
Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea; pissard plum
- 行李柳こりやなぎ
Salix koriyanagi (species of willow)
Study
Etymology
李 combines 木 (tree) and 子 (child), likely suggesting a fruit-bearing tree. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is traditionally associated with the plum tree.
Meaning mnemonic
A tree (木) with a child (子) hanging from its branches: imagine a plum tree so laden with fruit that the plums look like little children clinging to the branches.
Reading mnemonic
For リ, picture a plum tree with a single ripe plum that looks like the letter 'D' (but pronounced 'lee'): Lee -> リ. The plum is so juicy you want to 'reap' it, but just remember 'Lee' the plum.