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锣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锣luógongn, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #16209, Very Hard
luó(luo2) T2
  1. 1gong
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

锣(鑼)luó(luo2)

The character 锣 (luó) refers to a type of percussion instrument known as a gong, commonly used in traditional Chinese music and ceremonies. It produces a resonant sound when struck and is often associated with celebrations, rituals, and performances.

Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#16209DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the 锣 is often used during festivals and important ceremonies to signal the beginning of events, such as weddings or New Year celebrations, symbolizing joy and festivity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, shiny gong (锣) that sounds like 'luó' when you hit it. The character has the metal radical 钅 (indicating it is a metal instrument) and resembles a round shape, evoking the image of the resonating surface of a gong.

Meanings of 锣

luó(luo2)
1gong
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锣

锣Simplified
鑼Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
面Measure Word

Podcast: 锣

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Podcast: 锣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 锣

Usage Notes

In informal contexts, it's common to hear the word 锣 used in conjunction with other musical instruments, such as in phrases like '锣鼓' (luó gǔ), meaning 'gongs and drums.' Avoid confusing 锣 with other similar-sounding words that represent different instruments, as this can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners interested in music or cultural studies. Focus on the context of celebrations and performances to help retain the word, and try using it in sentences about music-related topics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锣 (luó) with 逻 (luó), which means 'logic' or 'sequence.' Remember that 锣 specifically refers to the gong, while 逻 has a different meaning and context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锣

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Etymology of 锣

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 罗 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鑼.

Memory Hint

bell

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)罗
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 锣

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 罗 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鑼.

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half罗 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybell
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 锣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 锣?

Decomposition of 锣

IDS Structure⿰钅罗
锣Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
罗luo1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锣?

How to say gong in Chinese

“gong” in Chinese is锣luó

The character 锣 (luó) refers to a type of percussion instrument known as a gong, commonly used in traditional Chinese music and ceremonies. It produces a resonant sound when struck and is often associated with celebrations, rituals, and performances.

When to use 锣

In informal contexts, it's common to hear the word 锣 used in conjunction with other musical instruments, such as in phrases like '锣鼓' (luó gǔ), meaning 'gongs and drums.' Avoid confusing 锣 with other similar-sounding words that represent different instruments, as this can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 锣 (luó) with 逻 (luó), which means 'logic' or 'sequence.' Remember that 锣 specifically refers to the gong, while 逻 has a different meaning and context.

Write 锣

锣

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 锣

锣 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

____鼓声中,千舟竞渡.

Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.

Example Sentences for 锣 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
锣鼓声中,千舟竞渡.

luó gǔ shēng zhōng, , qiān zhōu jìng.

Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Word Family of 锣

Words Containing This Character6
锣luógong鑼
锣鼓gongs and drums鑼鼓
铜锣Tongluo or Tunglo township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县[Miáo​lì​xiàn], northwest Taiwan銅鑼
开锣to beat the gong to open a performance開鑼
鸣锣开道to beat the gong to clear the way鳴鑼開道
开台锣鼓opening gong開臺鑼鼓
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 锣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锣

It is pronounced as 'luó' with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

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