Meanings of 撂
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About 撂
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Podcast: 撂
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AI Study Notes for 撂
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.
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).
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 撂
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Etymology of 撂
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 撂
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half畧 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Decomposition of 撂
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How to say to put down, to put aside, to drop in Chinese
“to put down, to put aside, to drop” in Chinese is撂
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.
When to use 撂
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).
撂 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 撂
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Practice writing 撂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
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)
Word Family of 撂
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.
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