unknown, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #55871, Very Hard
撸
lū
to fire (an employee)
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #55871, Very Hard
lū(lu1) T1
1to reprimand; to fire an employee
2(dialect) to rub one's hand along
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March 24, 2026
撸(擼)lū(lu1)
The character 撸 (lū) primarily means to reprimand or to fire an employee. It can also be used in certain dialects to describe the action of rubbing one's hand along something. Its usage often depends on context, with a more informal tone associated with the dialectical use.
Strokes15Radical扌Frequency#55871DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese workplaces, the concept of reprimanding or firing employees can be more direct compared to Western cultures, where such actions are often handled with more caution and formality.
Memory Tip
Imagine 'lū' as a hand moving along a smooth surface, reprimanding a wayward employee. The character 撸 visually resembles a hand (the radical 扌) being used to 'rub' or 'reprimand,' which can help reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 撸
lū(lu1)
1to reprimand; to fire an employee
2(dialect) to rub one's hand along
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 撸
撸Simplified
擼Traditional
15Strokes
扌Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 撸
Podcast: 撸
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AI Study Notes for 撸
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine 'lū' as a hand moving along a smooth surface, reprimanding a wayward employee. The character 撸 visually resembles a hand (the radical 扌) being used to 'rub' or 'reprimand,' which can help reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious as 撸 can have different meanings in various contexts; in formal situations, it is better to use terms like 解雇 (jiěgù) for 'to fire.' The tone of the conversation should align with the word's informal nature to avoid sounding overly harsh.
HSK Study Tips
While 撸 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on understanding its nuances as they progress through HSK levels. It connects to the theme of workplace terminology, which is useful in business contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese workplaces, the concept of reprimanding or firing employees can be more direct compared to Western cultures, where such actions are often handled with more caution and formality.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 撸 with more formal terms for firing, such as 解雇, leading to inappropriate usage in professional scenarios. For example, saying '我想要撸他' (I want to fire him) in a formal meeting would be incorrect; instead, use '我想要解雇他.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 撸
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Cultural Notes for 撸
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese workplaces, the concept of reprimanding or firing employees can be more direct compared to Western cultures, where such actions are often handled with more caution and formality.
Word Family of 撸
Words Containing This Character1
撸lūto reprimand擼
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 撸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 撸
No, 撸 is considered informal and should be used in casual conversations rather than formal business contexts.
No, while it can mean 'to fire,' it is more colloquial; using 解雇 (jiěgù) is preferred in formal situations.
