Li (simplified: 李; traditional: 李) as a surname:
* Mandarin: Lǐ (with a rising tone)
* Cantonese: Lei (with a rising tone)
Li (simplified: 里; traditional: 里) as a unit of measurement:
* Mandarin: Lǐ (with a neutral tone)
* Cantonese: Lei (with a neutral tone)
Other uses of "Li":
* There are other characters written as "Li" with different pronunciations. For example, "梨" (pear) is pronounced Lí (with a rising tone) in Mandarin and Lei (with a rising tone) in Cantonese.
Tips for pronunciation:
* Mandarin: The "L" sound is similar to the English "L" but with the tongue placed further back in the mouth. The rising tone starts low and rises to a higher pitch.
* Cantonese: The "L" sound is similar to the English "L" but with a slightly more "dark" tone. The rising tone starts low and rises to a higher pitch, similar to Mandarin.
If you're unsure how to pronounce "Li" in a specific context, it's always best to ask a native speaker or consult a Chinese pronunciation guide.