独立 (dú lì) — independent in Mandarin
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#428 most common word · HSK 5 · CEFR B2
Pinyin colour key: tone 1 (high flat), tone 2 (rising), tone 3 (dipping), tone 4 (falling), neutral.
Tone breakdown
独立 is pronounced dú lì. Tap any syllable’s row to hear the whole word.
In a sentence
Tā hěn dúlì, búxūyào fùmǔ de bāngzhù.
He is very independent and doesn't need his parents' help.
Hear it, then say it right
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Start freeFrequently asked questions
What does 独立 mean?+
独立 (dú lì) means "independent" in Mandarin Chinese.
How do you pronounce 独立?+
独立 is pronounced dú lì. It uses the tone 2 (rising), then the tone 4 (falling). Tap the character on this page to hear native audio.
How common is 独立 in Mandarin?+
独立 is the #428 most frequent word in spoken Mandarin, so it is one of the first words worth learning.
Where 独立 fits
Every HSK 5 word with tone-coloured pinyin and audio.
Words at a similar frequency
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What each tone sounds like and why it matters.
Why some tones change in connected speech.
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