率 lǜ to command
to command; to lead; rate; ratio
How it came to be
A cord down the middle, strands coming off it on both sides. A rope being twisted, or a net hauled in. Everything hangs off the one line, which is what leading is.
How it is used
- Polyphone with two distinct meaning clusters: as lǜ it's a bound suffix meaning "rate/ratio," attaching to almost any measurable quantity - 效率 xiàolǜ (efficiency), 汇率 huìlǜ (exchange rate), 概率 gàilǜ (probability), 频率 pínlǜ (frequency), 利率 lìlǜ (interest rate).
- As shuài it means to lead or command: 率领 shuàilǐng (to lead a group, formal, e.g. a delegation or team) and 率先 shuàixiān (to be the first to do something, take the lead) are the common words.
- Learners should key the reading off the meaning: any "X-rate" noun is lǜ, any "to lead" sense is shuài.
Characters built with 率
Words with 率
- 效率xiàolǜefficiencyHSK 5
- 汇率huìlǜexchange rateHSK 5
- 概率gàilǜprobability (maths)HSK 6
- 率先shuàixiānto take the leadHSK 6
- 率领shuàilǐngto leadHSK 6
- 频率pínlǜfrequencyHSK 6
- 利率lìlǜinterest rateHSK 8
- 功率gōnglǜpowerHSK 8
- 坦率tǎnshuàifrankHSK 8
- 收视率shōushìlǜratings (of a TV show)HSK 8
- 草率cǎoshuàicarelessHSK 9
- 表率biǎoshuàiexampleHSK 9