Meanings of 潦
By ear
Play it, then pick what 潦 means.
About 潦
Podcast: 潦
Podcast: 潦
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 潦
潦 (lǎo) vs 淹 (yān) — use 潦 for shallow water accumulation or puddles, while 淹 refers specifically to flooding or submerging.
Be careful not to confuse 潦 with similar characters like 澪 (lín), which relates to rivers. This word tends to be used more in literary contexts rather than casual conversation, so it's best suited for formal writing or poetic expressions. Remember that 潦 is pronounced with a third tone (lǎo), which can be a common mistake for learners.
Although 潦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK Level 4 and above, especially those studying literature or poetry. Focus on recognizing the character's components and its water-related meanings, as they often appear in more complex phrases.
Learners often confuse 潦 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using 潦 (lǎo) when they mean another character like 了 (le), which indicates completion, can lead to confusion. Always ensure you’re using the correct context for each character.
Pronunciation of 潦
Drill the tone of 潦 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 潦 to You
Let me explain 潦 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 潦 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 潦?
Learning Lab
Knowing 潦 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 潦
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 尞 represents the sound.
water
Origin
潦 = 氵 + 尞. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 潦
Parts
Which of these is part of 潦?
How to say to flood; puddle; dejected, careless in Chinese
“to flood; puddle; dejected, careless” in Chinese is潦
The character 潦 (lǎo) primarily refers to a situation involving flooding or accumulation of water, such as puddles formed from heavy rain. It can also convey feelings of dejection or carelessness, often in contexts where one's mood is affected by adverse weather conditions.
When to use 潦
Be careful not to confuse 潦 with similar characters like 澪 (lín), which relates to rivers. This word tends to be used more in literary contexts rather than casual conversation, so it's best suited for formal writing or poetic expressions. Remember that 潦 is pronounced with a third tone (lǎo), which can be a common mistake for learners.
潦 or something close to it
潦 (lǎo) vs 淹 (yān) — use 潦 for shallow water accumulation or puddles, while 淹 refers specifically to flooding or submerging.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 潦 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using 潦 (lǎo) when they mean another character like 了 (le), which indicates completion, can lead to confusion. Always ensure you’re using the correct context for each character.
Write 潦
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 潦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 潦
潦 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
很抱歉我写得如此____草。
I'm sorry what I wrote was such a scribble.
Example Sentences for 潦 (5)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 潦?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 潦
Words with 潦
What does 潦倒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 潦
It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but can describe situations involving heavy rain or flooding.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 潦?
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.