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March 24, 2026
劉liú(liu2)
The character 劉 (liú) primarily functions as a surname in Chinese culture, one of the most common in China. Additionally, it can mean 'to kill' or 'to destroy' in certain contexts, though this usage is less common and often appears in literary or historical texts.
Strokes15Radical刂
Cultural Note
The surname 劉 is historically significant in China, associated with prominent figures such as Liu Bei, a key character in the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.' This connection enriches its cultural relevance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a powerful warrior named Liu wielding a sword, ready to 'kill' or 'destroy' his enemies. The character 劉 can be visualized with the radical for 'strength' (力) representing the warrior's might, combined with the 'flow' (流) component that hints at movement, as if he is flowing through his foes.
Meanings of 劉
liú(liu2)
1to kill, to destroy; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 劉
劉Simplified
15Strokes
刂Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 劉
Podcast: 劉
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AI Study Notes for 劉
Usage Notes
While 劉 is predominantly used as a surname, using it to mean 'to kill' can lead to confusion, as this meaning is archaic and seldom used in modern conversation. Be mindful of the context, as 劉 is often found in formal or historical discourse rather than casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 劉 is not included in the HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners to recognize this character due to its frequency as a surname. Students should focus on understanding its usage as a proper noun and differentiate it from its less common meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 劉 with similar-sounding surnames, such as 刘 (also liú, but simplified). Ensure to use the correct form depending on the context and writing system. Additionally, using it in the sense of 'to kill' in casual conversation is inappropriate and can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 劉
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Simplified form of 劉. Based on the original meaning "battle-axe". The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The traditional component 卯 was removed for simplification.
Simplified form of 劉. Based on the original meaning "battle-axe". The current meaning is a phonetic loan. The traditional component 卯 was removed for simplification.
1The meaning half刂 carries the sense.
2The sound half卯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayknife
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 劉? 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 劉?
Decomposition of 劉
IDS Structure⿰⿱卯金刂
劉Full Character
=
卯mao3
top
金Jin1
bottom
刂dao1
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 劉?
How to say to kill, to destroy; surname in Chinese
“to kill, to destroy; surname” in Chinese is劉liú
The character 劉 (liú) primarily functions as a surname in Chinese culture, one of the most common in China. Additionally, it can mean 'to kill' or 'to destroy' in certain contexts, though this usage is less common and often appears in literary or historical texts.
When to use 劉
While 劉 is predominantly used as a surname, using it to mean 'to kill' can lead to confusion, as this meaning is archaic and seldom used in modern conversation. Be mindful of the context, as 劉 is often found in formal or historical discourse rather than casual conversation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 劉 with similar-sounding surnames, such as 刘 (also liú, but simplified). Ensure to use the correct form depending on the context and writing system. Additionally, using it in the sense of 'to kill' in casual conversation is inappropriate and can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 劉
劉
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Practice writing 劉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 劉
Words Containing This Character13
刘liúsurname Liu劉
刘翔Liu Xiang (1983-), Chinese gold-medal hurdler of the 2004 Olympic Games劉翔
刘海bangs劉海
刘德华Andy Lau (1961-), Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actor劉德華
刘少奇Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969), Chinese communist leader, a martyr of the Cultural Revolution劉少奇
刘备Liu Bei (161-223), warlord at the end of the Han dynasty and founder of the Han kingdom of Shu 蜀漢|蜀汉 (c. 200-263), later the Shu Han dynasty劉備
刘邦Liu Bang (256 or 247-195 BC), bandit leader who became first Han emperor Han Gaozu 漢高祖|汉高祖 (reigned 202-195 BC)劉邦
刘裕Liu Yu, founder of Song of the Southern dynasties 劉宋|刘宋[LiúSòng], broke away from Eastern Jin in 420, reigned as Emperor Wu of Song 宋武帝[SòngWǔdì]劉裕
刘洋Liu Yang (1978-), China's first female astronaut in space (June 16, 2012)劉洋
刘表Liu Biao (142-208), warlord劉表
刘心武Liu Xinwu (1942-), novelist劉心武
刘家辉Gordon Liu (1955-), Hong Kong action actor劉家輝
刘云山Liu Yunshan (1947-), PRC career politician, background in journalism in Inner Mongolia, from 2002 head of party Central Propaganda Section 中央宣传部劉雲山
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 刘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 劉
Yes, 劉 is one of the most common surnames in China.
Primarily, it is used as a surname; using it to mean 'to kill' is very uncommon in everyday speech.
It is pronounced as 'liú' with a rising tone.
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