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March 24, 2026
驴(馿)lǘ(lü2)
The character 驴 (lǘ) refers to a donkey, a domesticated animal often used for transportation and labor in rural areas. It is commonly associated with hard work and stubbornness in Chinese culture, and can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is obstinate or slow-witted.
Strokes7Radical马Frequency#7428DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In some regions of China, donkey meat is considered a delicacy, especially in places like Hebei province, where it is often served in traditional dishes, highlighting the cultural significance of this animal in local cuisine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a donkey (驴) who is stubbornly refusing to move, its ears flicking back as it stands still. The character looks like a horse (马) with an added component that signifies its uniqueness, emphasizing its role as a hardworking animal.
Meanings of 驴
lǘ(lü2)
primary
1donkey, ass
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About 驴
驴Simplified
馿Traditional
7Strokes
马Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 驴
Podcast: 驴
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AI Study Notes for 驴
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a donkey (驴) who is stubbornly refusing to move, its ears flicking back as it stands still. The character looks like a horse (马) with an added component that signifies its uniqueness, emphasizing its role as a hardworking animal.
Usage Notes
When using 驴, be careful not to confuse it with 马 (mǎ), which means horse. The term is informal and is often used in daily conversation rather than in formal writing. Common collocations include 驴肉 (lǘròu - donkey meat), which is a delicacy in some regions.
HSK Study Tips
While 驴 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it can be related to HSK Level 2 vocabulary regarding animals. Students should focus on understanding animal-related words and their contexts to enhance their conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In some regions of China, donkey meat is considered a delicacy, especially in places like Hebei province, where it is often served in traditional dishes, highlighting the cultural significance of this animal in local cuisine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 驴 with 驴, mispronouncing it as 'lu:2' instead of 'lǘ'. Another mistake is using it in formal contexts, where more neutral terms like 动物 (dòngwù - animal) might be preferred.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 驴
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Grammar Patterns of 驴
驴 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.
Two colored boys walk by , leading a mule by the halter.
10
斑驴是一种极美丽的斑马变种。
bān lǘ shì yī zhǒng jí měi lì de bān mǎ biàn zhǒng。
The quagga was a strikingly beautiful variant of the zebra.
Cultural Notes for 驴
🏮Cultural insight
In some regions of China, donkey meat is considered a delicacy, especially in places like Hebei province, where it is often served in traditional dishes, highlighting the cultural significance of this animal in local cuisine.
