Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
癆láo(lao2)
The character 癆 (láo) refers specifically to tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. It is often discussed in medical contexts or historical discussions about public health in China.
Strokes17Radical疒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Tuberculosis has a significant history in China, especially during the early 20th century, when it was a major public health issue. It has influenced literature and art, reflecting the struggles of those affected by the disease.
Memory Tip
Think of 'láo' as a 'low' state of health. The character 癆 has the radical 疒, which relates to sickness, and visually resembles a person hunched over in illness. Imagine someone feeling low and weak due to tuberculosis.
Meanings of 癆
láo(lao2)
1tuberculosis
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 癆
癆Simplified
17Strokes
疒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 癆
Podcast: 癆
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 癆
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 'láo' as a 'low' state of health. The character 癆 has the radical 疒, which relates to sickness, and visually resembles a person hunched over in illness. Imagine someone feeling low and weak due to tuberculosis.
Usage Notes
While 癆 is the formal term for tuberculosis, it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation; instead, people might refer to it as 肺结核 (fèi jié hé) in more casual contexts. Be cautious with tone, as the first tone can be easily confused with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 癆 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, learners should be familiar with medical terms as they relate to health discussions. Focus on understanding its context in historical or medical narratives.
Cultural Note
Tuberculosis has a significant history in China, especially during the early 20th century, when it was a major public health issue. It has influenced literature and art, reflecting the struggles of those affected by the disease.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 癆 with similar-sounding words like 劳 (láo), which means labor or toil. Remember that 癆 specifically refers to tuberculosis, while 劳 relates to work.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 癆
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 癆 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 癆 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 癆
🏮Cultural insight
Tuberculosis has a significant history in China, especially during the early 20th century, when it was a major public health issue. It has influenced literature and art, reflecting the struggles of those affected by the disease.
Word Family of 癆
Words Containing This Character4
痨láotuberculosis癆
肺痨tuberculosis肺癆
痨病tuberculosis (TCM)癆病
五痨七伤(TCM) "five strains and seven impairments", five referring to the five viscera 五臟|五脏[wǔzàng], and seven to adverse effects on one's body as a result of: overeating (spleen), anger (liver), moisture (kidney), cold (lung), worry (heart), wind and rain (out五癆七傷
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 痨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 癆
The modern term is 肺结核 (fèi jié hé), which literally means 'lung blockage'.
No, 癆 is more formal and technical; in everyday conversation, people usually refer to 肺结核.
There are no widely used phrases involving 癆, but it may appear in medical literature.
