li po: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “li po” mean?
The name of a renowned Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Li Bai, famous for his romantic and often wine-inspired verse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of a renowned Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Li Bai, famous for his romantic and often wine-inspired verse.
A cultural and literary symbol representing artistic genius, spontaneity, and the fusion of human experience with nature. In extended use, can refer metonymically to classical Chinese poetry or the archetype of the transcendent, free-spirited artist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling. Both varieties use the same form.
Connotations
Carries the same scholarly and artistic connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, encountered primarily in educational or specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “li po” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + [Verb: is/was/wrote]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literature, history, and East Asian studies courses and publications.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of specific educational or cultural conversations.
Technical
Used in sinology and comparative literature as a key historical reference point.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “li po”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “li po”
- Misspelling as 'Lee Po' or 'Lipo'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He's a real li po').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 'Li Po' is the Wade-Giles romanisation of the poet's name, while 'Li Bai' is the modern Pinyin romanisation. They refer to the same historical figure.
He is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history, a defining figure of the Tang Dynasty's golden age of poetry, whose work profoundly influenced East Asian literature.
Common themes include the joys of wine, friendship, the beauty and power of nature, solitude, freedom, and a sense of the mystical or transcendent.
In British English, it is /ˌliː ˈpəʊ/ (lee-POH). In American English, it is /ˌli ˈpoʊ/ (lee-POH). The first syllable rhymes with 'see'.
The name of a renowned Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Li Bai, famous for his romantic and often wine-inspired verse.
Li po is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Lee' (as in Bruce Lee) wrote 'Po'ems. Li Po = Lee's Poems.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ARTIST IS A FORCE OF NATURE; CREATIVITY IS INTOXICATION (drawing from his frequent themes of wine and natural imagery).
Practice
Quiz
Li Po is best known for being: