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March 24, 2026
嘮láo(lao2)
The character 嘮 (láo) refers to the act of chatting or gossiping, often in a light-hearted or informal manner. It can imply a continuous or repetitive talking, usually without a serious purpose, and is commonly used in casual conversations among friends or family.
Strokes15Radical口
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gossip is often a part of social life and can serve as a bonding activity among friends or family, reflecting social dynamics and relationships. Discussions over tea or meals often involve a lot of 嘮.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person gossiping so much that their mouth is like a loudspeaker (嘮 sounds like 'loud'). The '口' radical (meaning mouth) emphasizes the talking aspect, while the sound 'láo' can remind you of 'loud' conversations filled with chatter.
Meanings of 嘮
láo(lao2)
1to chat, to gossip, to jaw, to talk
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 嘮
嘮Simplified
15Strokes
口Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嘮
Podcast: 嘮
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AI Study Notes for 嘮
Quick Contrast
唠 (láo) vs 说 (shuō) — use 嘮 (láo) for informal chatting or gossiping, while 说 (shuō) is more general for speaking or saying.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person gossiping so much that their mouth is like a loudspeaker (嘮 sounds like 'loud'). The '口' radical (meaning mouth) emphasizes the talking aspect, while the sound 'láo' can remind you of 'loud' conversations filled with chatter.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 嘮 is informal and might not be suitable for formal contexts. Common collocations include 嘮叨 (láodāo - to chatter incessantly) and 嘮唆 (láosuō - to nag or talk too much). Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As 嘮 is not included in the official HSK levels, it may be useful for learners at HSK 3 and above, who are expanding their conversational skills. Students should practice using it in context to describe informal discussions or casual exchanges.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, gossip is often a part of social life and can serve as a bonding activity among friends or family, reflecting social dynamics and relationships. Discussions over tea or meals often involve a lot of 嘮.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嘮 with other similar characters like 聊 (liáo). For example, saying '我今天想嘮' (Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng láo) instead of '我今天想聊' (Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng liáo) can sound incorrect in a more serious context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嘮
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Cultural Notes for 嘮
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, gossip is often a part of social life and can serve as a bonding activity among friends or family, reflecting social dynamics and relationships. Discussions over tea or meals often involve a lot of 嘮.
Word Family of 嘮
Words Containing This Character4
唠叨láodaoto prattle嘮叨
唠láoto gossip嘮
唠嗑to gossip嘮嗑
叨唠to nag叨嘮
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 唠叨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘮
No, 嘮 is typically used in informal contexts, such as conversations with friends.
No, 嘮 implies light-hearted chatting and is not suitable for serious or formal discussions.
Synonyms include 聊 (liáo - to chat) and 谈 (tán - to talk), but they carry different nuances.
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