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March 24, 2026
牢láo(lao2)
The character 牢 (láo) primarily denotes something that is firm or sturdy. It is often used in contexts related to security, such as a prison or an animal pen, emphasizing the idea of confinement or stability. In broader usage, it can also imply concepts of sacrifice or dedication.
Strokes7Radical牛Frequency#2695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a '牢' can relate to historical forms of imprisonment, where prisons were often seen as places of reform. Additionally, animal pens were crucial in agricultural communities, reflecting the importance of livestock management.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong, iron cage (牢) that keeps animals safe and secure inside. The character visually resembles a sturdy enclosure, reminding you of its meaning related to firmness and protection. Picture the sound 'láo' as the clanging of metal bars that keep everything firmly in place.
Meanings of 牢
láo(lao2)
1firm
2sturdy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 牢
牢Simplified
7Strokes
牛Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#2695Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 牢
Podcast: 牢
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AI Study Notes for 牢
Quick Contrast
牢 (láo) vs 安 (ān) — choose 牢 when emphasizing firmness or security, while 安 focuses on safety or peace.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong, iron cage (牢) that keeps animals safe and secure inside. The character visually resembles a sturdy enclosure, reminding you of its meaning related to firmness and protection. Picture the sound 'láo' as the clanging of metal bars that keep everything firmly in place.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 牢 with similar-sounding characters like 硬 (yìng, hard) which conveys a different nuance of firmness. It is more commonly used in formal contexts when discussing security or confinement. Be aware of the tone; 牢 is pronounced with a rising tone, which can alter its meaning if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 牢 is not a designated HSK word, it can be related to HSK Level 3 vocabulary such as 安全 (ānquán, safety) and 监狱 (jiānyù, prison). Focus on its implications in security settings and practice its usage in sentences to grasp its meaning more fully.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a '牢' can relate to historical forms of imprisonment, where prisons were often seen as places of reform. Additionally, animal pens were crucial in agricultural communities, reflecting the importance of livestock management.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misinterpret 牢 as merely meaning 'hard' without recognizing its context of security and confinement. For instance, saying '这块石头很牢' (This stone is very firm) can be correct, but without context, it may sound odd compared to using it to describe a prison or secure environment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牢
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Grammar Patterns of 牢
牢 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 6 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 4
Complete the Sentence
建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋顶固定得更____靠些。
Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.
Sooner or later, life will put the relationship to the test.
7
她因为直升机一案坐了6个月牢。
tā yīn wéi zhí shēng jī yī àn zuò le6 6 gè yuè。
She served six months in prison for the helicopter caper.
8
约翰让人将莫德和她的儿子关进了地牢。
yuē hàn ràng rén jiāng mò dé hé tā de ér zǐ guān jìn le dì láo。
John had Maude and her son cast into a dungeon.
9
那两个人早就应该抓去坐牢。
nà liǎng gè rén zǎo jiù yīng gāi zhuā qù zuò láo。
Those two should have been thrown in jail.
10
再检查一下那梯子是否牢固。
zài jiǎn chá yī xià nà tī zǐ shì fǒu láo gù。
Double-check that the ladder is secure.
Cultural Notes for 牢
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of a '牢' can relate to historical forms of imprisonment, where prisons were often seen as places of reform. Additionally, animal pens were crucial in agricultural communities, reflecting the importance of livestock management.
Word Family of 牢
Compounds2
哰
浶
Words Containing This Character20
牢láofirm
坐牢to be imprisoned
牢牢láoláofirmly
牢固láogùfirm
牢房jail cell
牢记láojìto keep in mind牢記
发牢骚to whine發牢騷
牢骚láosāodiscontent牢騷
牢狱prison牢獄
地牢prison
大牢prison
套牢to immobilize with a lasso
牢笼cage牢籠
牢靠robust
监牢prison監牢
亡羊补牢wángyángbǔláofig. to act belatedly亡羊補牢
牢狱之灾imprisonment牢獄之災
画地为牢lit. to be confined within a circle drawn on the ground (idiom)畫地為牢
水牢prison cell containing water, in which prisoners are forced to be partly immersed
满腹牢骚discontent滿腹牢騷
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 牢 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牢
Common phrases include 牢牢把握 (láoláo bǎwò, to firmly grasp) and 牢狱 (láoyù, prison).
It can refer to both physical security, like a sturdy fence, and metaphorical security, such as a firm belief.
It can imply confinement, as in prison, which might carry a negative tone depending on the context.
