Chinese word

吉利

Pronunciation

Pinyinjí lì

Meaning

  • adjectivelucky

Example

这个数字很吉利。zhè ge shù zì hěn jí lì

This number is very lucky.

Illustration for 吉利 (lucky)

More examples

他把一个吉利的挂件挂在车里。tā bǎ yí gè jí lì de guà jiàn guà zài chē lǐ

He hung a lucky charm in the car.

Core concept

Good fortune attached to a sign, choice, or circumstance.

Common phrases

  • 看起来吉利kàn qǐ lái jí lì

    look lucky

  • 带有吉利的寓意dài yǒu jí lì de yù yì

    have an auspicious meaning

  • 吉利的挂件jí lì de guà jiàn

    lucky charm

Similar words

吉祥jí xiáng: Considered auspicious because it suggests happiness, prosperity, or other good fortune.
顺利shùn lì: Proceeding smoothly without delays, trouble, or other obstacles.
幸运xìng yùn: Having good luck, with favorable things happening by chance.

Definition in Chinese

表示带来好运或好兆头，使事情顺利或有利的性质。biǎo shì dài lái hǎo yùn huò hǎo zhào tou shǐ shì qíng shùn lì huò yǒu lì de xìng zhì

Word origin

吉 (jí, "auspicious") contributes the idea of a good sign, while 利 (lì, "benefit") adds the idea of an advantageous result.

Usage tips

  • The word applies to numbers, dates, names, and other choices that are considered favorable, not only to events that have already turned out well.

Opposites

  • 不吉利bù jí lìunluckyadjective
  • 不祥bù xiánginauspiciousadjective

Word lists with this word