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驢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
donkey, assx, 26 strokes, radical 馬, Very Hard
(lü2) T2
  1. 1donkey, ass
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(lü2)

The character 驢 (lǘ) refers to a donkey, a domesticated animal often used for carrying loads or as a working animal in agriculture. In colloquial contexts, it can also imply stubbornness or foolishness, similar to how the term 'donkey' is used in English.

Strokes26RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, donkeys have been crucial for transport and agriculture, particularly in rural areas where modern vehicles are less accessible. The character also appears in folklore, signifying the value of hard work and endurance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a donkey with big ears listening intently. The character 驢 has the radical for horse (马) on the right, suggesting it's an animal, while the left part looks like a big ear, reminding you of the donkey's keen hearing. 'Lǘ' sounds like 'loo', which you might say if a stubborn donkey refuses to move.

Meanings of 驢

(lü2)
1donkey, ass
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 驢

Simplified
26Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 驢

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AI Study Notes for 驢

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a donkey with big ears listening intently. The character 驢 has the radical for horse (马) on the right, suggesting it's an animal, while the left part looks like a big ear, reminding you of the donkey's keen hearing. 'Lǘ' sounds like 'loo', which you might say if a stubborn donkey refuses to move.

Usage Notes

While 驢 is a straightforward term, be cautious with its connotation of foolishness in informal contexts. It's more common in rural or agricultural discussions, and you might see it collocated with words related to work or burden. Avoid using it in formal settings where a more neutral term would be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

Though 驢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of animal-related terms. Connect it to other animal names you learn, and pay attention to the pronunciation, especially the third tone which can be tricky.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, donkeys have been crucial for transport and agriculture, particularly in rural areas where modern vehicles are less accessible. The character also appears in folklore, signifying the value of hard work and endurance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 驢 (lǘ) with 马 (mǎ) due to their similar appearance and sound. Remember, 驢 specifically refers to a donkey, while 马 means horse; ensure you practice the difference to avoid mix-ups.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 驢

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Etymology of 驢

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

Phonosemantic compound. 马 represents the meaning and 户 represents the sound. Simplified form of 驢.

Memory Hint

horse

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 驢?

Decomposition of 驢

IDS Structure⿰馬盧
Full Character
=
ma3
left
lu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 驢?

Write 驢

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

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Cultural Notes for 驢

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, donkeys have been crucial for transport and agriculture, particularly in rural areas where modern vehicles are less accessible. The character also appears in folklore, signifying the value of hard work and endurance.

Word Family of 驢

Words Containing This Character13
donkey
驴子ass驢子
蠢驴silly ass蠢驢
毛驴donkey毛驢
黔驴技穷to exhaust one's limited abilities (idiom)黔驢技窮
野驴onager (Equus onager)野驢
卸磨杀驴to get rid of sb once he has ceased to be useful卸磨殺驢
叫驴(coll.) male donkey叫驢
非驴非马neither fish nor fowl非驢非馬
驴唇不对马嘴fig. beside the point驢唇不對馬嘴
驴年马月long time off驢年馬月
骑驴觅驴fig. to look for what one already has騎驢覓驢
博士买驴idiom mocking scholastic pomposity博士買驢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 驴 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 驢

驢 specifically refers to a donkey, while other characters like 马 (mǎ) mean horse, highlighting different roles and characteristics in agriculture.