Abstract：Language is in constant development, thus the synchronic differences in modern Chinese, remains of ancient Chinese, are the result of diachronic development. This paper analyzes Chinese location words “li”and “nei”from the diachronic angle. It concludes that “li”comes from the noun “lining”and “nei”comes from the verb “enter”. This study reveals the unbalanced development of the structure“noun + li/nei”: “noun + li”appears late, but develops rapidly and its properties expands more widely;while the structure “noun + nei”appears early, but its meaning expands to a less extent and shows fewer signs of functional extension.

Keyword：Chinese location words “li”and “nei”;semantic origin;diachronic development;