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March 24, 2026
喇lā(la1)
The character 喇 (lā) primarily refers to a horn or bugle, often used in the context of musical instruments that produce a loud sound. It can also be an onomatopoeic term, mimicking the sounds made by wind or rain. In certain contexts, it may serve as a phonetic component in words, indicating its adaptability in Mandarin.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#35287DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, traditional instruments often include horns or bugles used in festivals and celebrations, making 喇 relevant in discussions about music and cultural events. The sound of these instruments is an integral part of traditional Chinese festivities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a loud horn (喇) that blares out sound similar to the wind whistling through trees. The character has a mouth (口) component which suggests sound, combined with the radical that resembles a horn shape, making it easier to remember its connection to noise.
Meanings of 喇
lā(la1)
primary
1(onom.) sound of wind, rain etc
2(phonetic)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 喇 means.
About 喇
喇Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#35287Frequency Rank
Podcast: 喇
Podcast: 喇
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AI Study Notes for 喇
Usage Notes
喇 is generally informal and can be used in casual conversations about music or sound. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; be mindful of the tones, as 'la' (啦) has a different meaning. Be careful with collocations; it's often paired with musical terms or expressions of sound.
HSK Study Tips
喇 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance comprehension of musical terms and expressions in conversational Mandarin. Students at the beginner level should focus on recognizing its sound and application in context rather than memorizing it.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 喇 interchangeably with similar-sounding characters without considering the context. For example, confusing it with 啦 (lā), which is a final particle, can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 喇
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How Well Do You Know 喇?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 喇 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.
喇 = 口 + 剌. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 喇
IDS Structure⿰口剌
喇Full Character
=
口kou3
left
剌la2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 喇?
How to say (onom.) sound of wind, rain etc in Chinese
“(onom.) sound of wind, rain etc” in Chinese is喇lā
The character 喇 (lā) primarily refers to a horn or bugle, often used in the context of musical instruments that produce a loud sound. It can also be an onomatopoeic term, mimicking the sounds made by wind or rain. In certain contexts, it may serve as a phonetic component in words, indicating its adaptability in Mandarin.
When to use 喇
喇 is generally informal and can be used in casual conversations about music or sound. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; be mindful of the tones, as 'la' (啦) has a different meaning. Be careful with collocations; it's often paired with musical terms or expressions of sound.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 喇 interchangeably with similar-sounding characters without considering the context. For example, confusing it with 啦 (lā), which is a final particle, can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 喇
喇
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Practice writing 喇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 喇
喇 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). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
负责选举的官员们已经临时安了几个____叭，让投票者可以同时享受音乐。
Election officials have rigged up speakers to provide voters with music.
Example Sentences for 喇 (8)
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1
负责选举的官员们已经临时安了几个喇叭，让投票者可以同时享受音乐。
fù zé xuǎn jǔ de guān yuán mén yǐ jīng lín shí ān le jī gè lǎ bā， ， ràng tóu piào zhě kě yǐ tóng shí xiǎng shòu yīn。
Election officials have rigged up speakers to provide voters with music.
2
司机冲我挥挥手，按了下喇叭。
sī jī chōng wǒ huī huī shǒu， ， àn le xià lǎ。
The driver gave me a wave and a toot.
3
她按了一下喇叭，把车开到右边停下。
tā àn le yī xià lǎ bā， ， bǎ chē kāi dào yòu biān tíng。
