Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
栌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
栌lúsumac; loquat; the capital of a columnx, 9 strokes, radical 木
栌lúcapital (of column)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木
栌lúsmoke treeunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木
lú(lu2) T2
  1. 1sumac; loquat; the capital of a column
  2. 2capital (of column)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

栌(櫨)lú(lu2)

The character 栌 (lú) refers to several meanings, primarily associated with plants like sumac and loquat. It can also denote the capital of a column in architecture, highlighting its usage in both botany and structural terminology. This duality reflects its versatility in describing nature and man-made objects.

Strokes9Radical木
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, the capital of a column carries significant aesthetic and structural importance. The use of natural elements like loquat and sumac reflects the integration of nature in Chinese culture and design.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall column made of tree bark, with sumac and loquat leaves wrapping around its base. The 'lú' sound can be remembered as 'loquat' which sounds similar, while the radical 样 (tree) hints at its botanical meanings.

Meanings of 栌

lú(lu2)
1sumac; loquat; the capital of a column
2capital (of column)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 栌

栌Simplified
櫨Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 栌

JasonAmy

Podcast: 栌

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 栌

Usage Notes

When using 栌, learners should be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that refer to other plants or structures. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in botanical or architectural discussions. Pay attention to the correct tone when pronouncing 'lú' to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 栌 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other plant-related terms at the same level. Students should focus on differentiating similar-sounding characters and understanding their contexts to enhance their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 栌 with characters that have similar phonetics or radicals, such as 栗 (lì - chestnut). A common mistake is using 栌 in place of 栗 when discussing plants. Ensure to remember the specific meanings and contexts for each character.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 栌

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 栌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 栌

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

tree

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 栌

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half卢 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 栌? 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 栌?

Decomposition of 栌

IDS Structure⿰木卢
栌Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
卢Lu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 栌?

How to say sumac; loquat; the capital of a column in Chinese

“sumac; loquat; the capital of a column” in Chinese is栌lú

The character 栌 (lú) refers to several meanings, primarily associated with plants like sumac and loquat. It can also denote the capital of a column in architecture, highlighting its usage in both botany and structural terminology. This duality reflects its versatility in describing nature and man-made objects.

When to use 栌

When using 栌, learners should be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that refer to other plants or structures. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in botanical or architectural discussions. Pay attention to the correct tone when pronouncing 'lú' to avoid misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 栌 with characters that have similar phonetics or radicals, such as 栗 (lì - chestnut). A common mistake is using 栌 in place of 栗 when discussing plants. Ensure to remember the specific meanings and contexts for each character.

Write 栌

栌

Practice writing 栌 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 栌

Words Containing This Character1
栌lúsmoke tree櫨
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 栌 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 栌

栌 primarily means sumac or loquat, and it can also refer to the capital of a column in architecture.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 栌?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.