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偻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
偻lóuhumpback; surnamex, 11 strokes, radical 亻
偻lóuhunchbackunknown, 11 strokes, radical 亻
偻lóucrookbackedunknown, 11 strokes, radical 亻
偻lǚhumpback; surnamex, 11 strokes, radical 亻
偻lǚhunchbackunknown, 11 strokes, radical 亻
偻lǚcrookbackedunknown, 11 strokes, radical 亻
lóu(lou2)
primary
T2
  1. 1humpback; surname
  2. 2hunchback
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

偻(僂)lóu(lou2)

The character 偻 (lóu) primarily refers to a physical condition characterized by a humped or bent back, commonly known as 'hunchback' or 'crookback.' It can also be used as a surname in Chinese culture. The term is often used in medical or descriptive contexts.

Strokes11Radical亻
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, physical conditions such as hunchback may be linked to imbalances in the body, reflecting cultural beliefs about health and wellness. This term can also appear in historical texts discussing the physical attributes of individuals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person with a humped back resembling the shape of the character 偻. The left part looks like a bent figure, while the right resembles a support or a reminder of the weight they carry due to their condition. Connect 'lóu' with 'hump' to remember its meaning.

Meanings of 偻

lóu(lou2)
primary
1humpback; surname
2hunchback
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 偻

偻Simplified
僂Traditional
11Strokes
亻Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 偻

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Podcast: 偻

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AI Study Notes for 偻

Usage Notes

This character is relatively formal and often used in literary or medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and note that its usage can also imply a negative connotation regarding appearance or health.

HSK Study Tips

Although 偻 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with related words describing body conditions or characteristics. Students should focus on how to use it in descriptions and its association with physical ailments.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 偻 with other characters that describe body conditions, such as 驼 (tuó), meaning 'camel' or 'to be humped.' A common mistake is using 偻 in casual conversation; it’s more appropriate in formal contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 偻

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Etymology of 偻

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

person

Semantic (meaning)亻
+
Phonetic (sound)娄
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 偻

  1. 1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half娄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayperson
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 偻? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 偻?

Decomposition of 偻

IDS Structure⿰亻娄
偻Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
娄Lou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 偻?

How to say humpback; surname in Chinese

“humpback; surname” in Chinese is偻lóu

The character 偻 (lóu) primarily refers to a physical condition characterized by a humped or bent back, commonly known as 'hunchback' or 'crookback.' It can also be used as a surname in Chinese culture. The term is often used in medical or descriptive contexts.

When to use 偻

This character is relatively formal and often used in literary or medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and note that its usage can also imply a negative connotation regarding appearance or health.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 偻 with other characters that describe body conditions, such as 驼 (tuó), meaning 'camel' or 'to be humped.' A common mistake is using 偻 in casual conversation; it’s more appropriate in formal contexts.

Write 偻

偻

Practice writing 偻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 偻

Words Containing This Character3
佝偻病rickets (medicine)佝僂病
偻lóuhunchback僂
佝偻stooped佝僂
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 佝偻病 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 偻

It means hunchback or crookback, describing a specific physical condition.

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