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March 24, 2026
撂liào(liao4)
The character 撂 (liào) primarily means to put down, drop, or abandon something. It is commonly used in contexts where an item is discarded or set aside, indicating a sense of leaving something behind or knocking it down. The nuance can vary slightly based on context, but it generally conveys a casual or abrupt action.
Strokes14Radical扌Frequency#13189DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In rural China, the act of 撂 (putting down or abandoning) can be linked to traditional farming practices where tools are often left in the field after use, symbolizing a casual attitude towards possessions in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person throwing down a heavy bag (the character 撂 resembles a hand dropping something), and saying 'liào!' as they let it go. The left side (扌) represents a hand, and the right side (了) suggests completion or finality, reinforcing the idea of dropping or leaving something behind.
Meanings of 撂
liào(liao4)
1to put down, to put aside, to drop
2to leave behind
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About 撂
撂Simplified
14Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 撂
Podcast: 撂
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AI Study Notes for 撂
Quick Contrast
撂 (liào) vs 放 (fàng) — use 撂 for a more casual or abrupt action of dropping something, while 放 implies a more deliberate act of placing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person throwing down a heavy bag (the character 撂 resembles a hand dropping something), and saying 'liào!' as they let it go. The left side (扌) represents a hand, and the right side (了) suggests completion or finality, reinforcing the idea of dropping or leaving something behind.
Usage Notes
When using 撂, be mindful of the tone, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning. It is more informal and typically used in spoken language rather than formal writing, so avoid using it in academic contexts. Common collocations include 撂下 (put down) and 撂弃 (abandon).
HSK Study Tips
While 撂 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other verbs that involve actions of putting or dropping, such as 放 (fàng) and 拿 (ná). Focus on the context in which you use 撂 to distinguish it from similar verbs.
Cultural Note
In rural China, the act of 撂 (putting down or abandoning) can be linked to traditional farming practices where tools are often left in the field after use, symbolizing a casual attitude towards possessions in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 撂 with the more formal 放, using it in contexts that require more precision. For instance, saying '我撂下了书' (I dropped the book) is informal, while '我放下了书' (I put down the book) is more appropriate in a formal setting.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 撂
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Grammar Patterns of 撂
撂 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他将她____倒，抢走了她的包。
He rugby tackled her and stole her bag.
Example Sentences for 撂 (3)
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1
他将她撂倒，抢走了她的包。
tā jiāng tā liào dǎo， ， qiāng zǒu le tā de。
He rugby tackled her and stole her bag.
2
他突然扑过去抱吉姆叔叔的腿,想把他撂倒.
tā tū rán pū guò qù bào jí mǔ shū shū de tuǐ, , xiǎng bǎ tā liào.
He made a sudden dive for UncleJim's legs to try to trip him up.
3
挨了批评就撂挑子是不好的.
āi le pī píng jiù liào tiāo zǐ shì bù hǎo de.
It's bad to throw up one's job just because one's been criticized.
Cultural Notes for 撂
🏮Cultural insight
In rural China, the act of 撂 (putting down or abandoning) can be linked to traditional farming practices where tools are often left in the field after use, symbolizing a casual attitude towards possessions in daily life.
Word Family of 撂
Words Containing This Character2
撂liàoto put down
撂地(of folk artists) to give a performance at a temple fair or on the street etc
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 撂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 撂
You can use 撂 when talking about dropping items, like leaving a bag on the ground or abandoning an old piece of furniture.
撂 is generally informal and should be used in casual conversation rather than formal writing.
Yes, synonyms include 放 (fàng) and 扔 (rēng), but each has slightly different connotations.
