Skip to content
Begin learning Chinese at your own paceStart learning
骝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
骝liúa legendary horseg, 13 strokes, radical 马, rank #82191, Very Hard
骝liúbay horse with black maneunknown, 13 strokes, radical 马, rank #82191, Very Hard
liú(liu2)liu T2
  1. 1a legendary horse
  2. 2bay horse with black mane
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

骝(騮)liú(liu2)

The character 骝 (liú) refers to a legendary horse, often associated with speed and strength, and specifically denotes a bay horse with a black mane. This term is commonly used in literature and poetry to evoke imagery of noble steeds, often symbolizing power and grace in Chinese culture.

Strokes13Radical马Frequency#82191DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The horse holds significant cultural importance in Chinese history, symbolizing nobility, speed, and power, often appearing in ancient texts and folklore. The legendary status of horses like 骝 reflects the admiration for such creatures in Chinese heritage, especially in the context of warfare and travel.

Memory tip

Visualize a majestic horse running through a field. The character 骝 has the horse radical (犭) on the left, reminding you of its equine nature, while the right side suggests its unique coloring. Imagine a 'black mane' flowing as it gallops, helping you remember both the pronunciation 'liú' and its meaning.

Meanings of 骝

liú(liu2)
1a legendary horse
2bay horse with black mane
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 骝 means.

About 骝

骝Simplified
騮Traditional
13Strokes
马Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 骝

JasonAmy

Podcast: 骝

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 骝

Usage Notes

In more formal contexts, 骝 may be used in poetry or classical texts rather than everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about its specific usage, as it is not commonly used in modern vernacular. Additionally, it’s important to ensure correct pronunciation, as mixing tones can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 骝 is not included in the HSK levels, it offers a glimpse into more advanced vocabulary related to animals and descriptive adjectives. Learners should focus on understanding the character's components and related words about animals and mythology to deepen their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 骝 with other horse-related characters such as 马. For instance, saying '马' when referring to a legendary horse like 骝 can lead to ambiguity. It's important to remember that 骝 has a specific cultural and literary significance.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 骝

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 骝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 骝 to You

Let me explain 骝 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 骝 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 骝?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 骝 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 骝

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

horse

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

Origin

骝 = 马 + 留. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 骝

IDS Structure⿰马留
骝Full character
=
马Ma3
left
留liu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 骝?

How to say a legendary horse in Chinese

“a legendary horse” in Chinese is骝liú

The character 骝 (liú) refers to a legendary horse, often associated with speed and strength, and specifically denotes a bay horse with a black mane. This term is commonly used in literature and poetry to evoke imagery of noble steeds, often symbolizing power and grace in Chinese culture.

When to use 骝

In more formal contexts, 骝 may be used in poetry or classical texts rather than everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious about its specific usage, as it is not commonly used in modern vernacular. Additionally, it’s important to ensure correct pronunciation, as mixing tones can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 骝 with other horse-related characters such as 马. For instance, saying '马' when referring to a legendary horse like 骝 can lead to ambiguity. It's important to remember that 骝 has a specific cultural and literary significance.

Write 骝

骝

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 骝?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 骝

Words containing this character1
骝liúbay horse with black mane騮

Frequently Asked Questions about 骝

In modern usage, 骝 primarily refers to a specific type of horse, often found in literary or poetic contexts rather than daily conversation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 骝?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab