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甪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
surnamezg, 6 strokes, radical 用, Very Hard
surname Luunknown, 6 strokes, radical 用, Very Hard
place nameunknown, 6 strokes, radical 用, Very Hard
(Lu4) T4
  1. 1surname
  2. 2place name
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(Lu4)

The character 甪 (lù) primarily functions as a surname in Chinese, most commonly associated with the Lu family. It can also refer to certain place names in China, which may carry historical or cultural significance. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more relevant in specific contexts like genealogy or geography.

Strokes6RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The surname 甪 can be linked to various historical figures within Chinese history, and many surnames carry tales of ancestry and lineage that are important in Chinese culture, reflecting the significance of family heritage.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'lu' (like 'loo') where a family of ducks (the radical for water, 水, is present) gathers. The ducks, all named Lu, quack about their heritage, making the surname memorable and the connection to water vivid.

Meanings of 甪

(Lu4)
1surname
2place name
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 甪

Simplified
6Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 甪

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 甪

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'lu' (like 'loo') where a family of ducks (the radical for water, 水, is present) gathers. The ducks, all named Lu, quack about their heritage, making the surname memorable and the connection to water vivid.

Usage Notes

The character 甪 is quite rare and mainly used in formal contexts related to surnames or specific locations. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more common characters that sound similar, such as 陆 (lù), which means 'land'.

HSK Study Tips

While 甪 is not included in the HSK levels, students at HSK 1-3 should focus on learning more frequently used surnames and place names. This character can be a good example of how names can have historical roots in Chinese culture.

Cultural Note

The surname 甪 can be linked to various historical figures within Chinese history, and many surnames carry tales of ancestry and lineage that are important in Chinese culture, reflecting the significance of family heritage.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 甪 with similar-sounding characters like 陆 (lù), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '陆姓' instead of '甪姓' when referring to the surname Lu.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 甪

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Etymology of 甪

Decomposition of 甪

IDS Structure⿱丿用
Full Character
=
丿pie3
top
yong4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 甪?

Write 甪

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 甪

🏮Cultural insight

The surname 甪 can be linked to various historical figures within Chinese history, and many surnames carry tales of ancestry and lineage that are important in Chinese culture, reflecting the significance of family heritage.

Word Family of 甪

Words Containing This Character1
surname Lu
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 甪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 甪

No, 甪 is a rare surname in China compared to more common surnames like Wang or Zhang.