Chinese word

流利

Pronunciation

Pinyinliú lì

Meaning

  • adjectivefluent

Example

她回答得很流利。tā huí dá de hěn liú lì

She answers very fluently.

Illustration for 流利 (fluent)

More examples

老师说他讲得很流利。lǎo shī shuō tā jiǎng de hěn liú lì

The teacher says he speaks very fluently.

Core concept

Words come out easily and continuously, like water flowing along a clear path.

Common phrases

  • 讲得流利jiǎng de liú lì

    speak fluently

  • 写得流利xiě de liú lì

    write fluently

  • 流利的发音liú lì de fā yīn

    fluent pronunciation

Similar words

流畅liú chàng: Language or writing that moves smoothly and naturally without awkward stops or breaks.
通顺tōng shùn: Wording that is natural, easy to read or hear, and easy to understand.

Definition in Chinese

说话或表达时，语言顺畅、不停顿，听起来自然容易理解。shuō huà huò biǎo dá shí yǔ yán shùn chàng bù tíng dùn tīng qǐ lái zì rán róng yì lí jiě

Word origin

流 (liú, "to flow") + 利 (lì, "smooth or favorable") combine to picture language moving forward without obstacles.

Usage tips

  • Smooth speech is not the same as perfect speech: a speaker can keep talking naturally while still making grammar or word-choice mistakes.

Opposites

  • 结巴jiē bastutteringadjective

Word lists with this word