里子

裡子

lǐzi

noun #33,074

Measure Word

一层里子 céng

Meanings

1 lining (of a garment)
2 the inside / substance (as opposed to the outward show)

Characters

Examples

这件大衣的里子是丝绸的。

Zhè jiàn dàyī de lǐzi shì sīchóu de.

The lining of this coat is silk.

面子重要，里子更重要。

Miànzi zhòngyào, lǐzi gèng zhòngyào.

Face matters, but substance matters more.

Tips

culture

里子 is the moral counterweight to 面子 ('face / outward appearance'). The pair 面子/里子 is the Chinese answer to 'style vs. substance' — 里子 is what's actually there once the show is over.

Stroke Order

里 lǐ

子 zǐ