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March 24, 2026
酪lào(lao4)
The character 酪 (lào) refers to dairy products like cream and cheese, as well as fermented beverages such as koumiss. It is often used in culinary contexts, especially when discussing dairy processing or specific food items derived from milk.
Strokes13Radical酉Frequency#11970DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, dairy products like cheese are less common compared to Western cultures, so the character 酪 may not be as familiar. However, with the rise of Western influence, items like cheese are becoming more integrated into modern diets in urban areas.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cow (representing dairy) happily lounging in a field of cream. The character 酪 has the radical for 'food' (食) at the bottom, reminding you it relates to edible products. Picture the cow saying 'Lào!' as it enjoys its creamy treat to remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 酪
lào(lao4)
1cream, cheese; koumiss
2curdled milk or fruit juice
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 酪
酪Simplified
13Strokes
酉Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 酪
Podcast: 酪
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AI Study Notes for 酪
Quick Contrast
酪 (lào) vs 奶 (nǎi) — use 酪 specifically for fermented dairy products or specialized items, while 奶 refers to milk in general.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cow (representing dairy) happily lounging in a field of cream. The character 酪 has the radical for 'food' (食) at the bottom, reminding you it relates to edible products. Picture the cow saying 'Lào!' as it enjoys its creamy treat to remember the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the pronunciation, as it can be confused with the similar-sounding character ‘落’ (luò), which means 'to fall.' This word is generally used in more formal contexts, especially in culinary discussions, so it's best to avoid it in casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
Although 酪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with other food-related terms at higher levels. Students should focus on understanding its usage in food contexts and how it relates to other dairy and fermentation terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, dairy products like cheese are less common compared to Western cultures, so the character 酪 may not be as familiar. However, with the rise of Western influence, items like cheese are becoming more integrated into modern diets in urban areas.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 酪 (lào) with other dairy-related words or similar-sounding characters. For instance, saying '我喜欢酪' (wǒ xǐhuān lào) without context may sound odd; it's better to specify '我喜欢奶酪' (wǒ xǐhuān nǎilào) for 'I like cheese.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 酪
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Grammar Patterns of 酪
酪 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我来上菜，你把帕尔马干____磨碎。
I'll dish up and you can grate the Parmesan.
Example Sentences for 酪 (10)
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1
我来上菜，你把帕尔马干酪磨碎。
wǒ lái shàng cài， ， nǐ bǎ pà ěr mǎ gān lào mó。
I'll dish up and you can grate the Parmesan.
2
喝这酒的时候可以搭配浓乳酪或淡乳酪。
hē zhè jiǔ de shí hòu kě yǐ dā pèi nóng rǔ lào huò dàn rǔ lào。
The wine goes with strong and mild cheese alike.
3
他们在一家小餐馆歇脚，吃了顿干酪火锅。
tā mén zài yī jiā xiǎo cān guǎn xiē jiǎo， ， chī le dùn gān lào huǒ。
They stopped at a little cafe and had a fondue.
4
务必看看莫泽雷勒干酪是怎么制成的，在第65页。
wù bì kàn kàn mò zé léi lè gān lào shì zěn mó zhì chéng de， ， zài65 dì。
Be sure to read about how mozzarella is made, on page
5
奶酪是引诱老鼠上钩的极好的东西.
nǎi lào shì yǐn yòu lǎo shǔ shàng gōu de jí hǎo de dōng xī.
Cheese is very good for luring a mouse into a trap.
Using 2 spoons, mould the cheese mixture into small balls or ovals.
Cultural Notes for 酪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, dairy products like cheese are less common compared to Western cultures, so the character 酪 may not be as familiar. However, with the rise of Western influence, items like cheese are becoming more integrated into modern diets in urban areas.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike in Western cultures where cheese is a staple, traditional Chinese cuisine has historically relied less on dairy, making the concept of 酪 relatively niche.
Word Family of 酪
Words Containing This Character6
奶酪cheese
乳酪cheese
干酪cheese乾酪
酪làoalso pr. [luò]
酪氨酸tyrosine (Tyr), an amino acid
酪蛋白casein (milk protein)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 奶酪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 酪
Pay attention to the context; 酪 specifically refers to dairy products, while characters like 落 (luò) have different meanings.
It's typically used in more specific contexts related to food and may not come up in casual discussions.
Yes, in some regions, dairy is more popular, and you may hear this term more frequently than in areas where dairy consumption is limited.
