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March 24, 2026
尥liào(liao4)
The character 尥 (liào) means 'to give a backward kick,' typically referring to the action of a horse kicking backwards. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone reacting negatively or defensively in a situation. This word is less commonly used in everyday conversation but can appear in literary or descriptive contexts.
Strokes6Radical尢Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, horses are important symbols of strength and freedom, often depicted in art and literature. The action of kicking backwards can reflect a horse's instinct to defend itself, which can be seen as a metaphor for human reactions to threats.
Memory Tip
Imagine a horse that, instead of moving forward, kicks backwards with its powerful legs. The character 尥 looks like a horse with a kick, with the 'horse' radical 馬 (mǎ) hinting at its equine connection. If you think of 'liào' as a horse's backward kick, you can remember both its action and sound.
Meanings of 尥
liào(liao4)
1to give a backward kick (e.g. of a horse)
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About 尥
尥Simplified
6Strokes
尢Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 尥
Podcast: 尥
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AI Study Notes for 尥
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a horse that, instead of moving forward, kicks backwards with its powerful legs. The character 尥 looks like a horse with a kick, with the 'horse' radical 馬 (mǎ) hinting at its equine connection. If you think of 'liào' as a horse's backward kick, you can remember both its action and sound.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation as it could be confused with similar-sounding words. 尥 is rarely used in everyday speech, so it’s more appropriate in literary contexts. It often appears in idiomatic expressions, so understanding these can enhance your comprehension.
HSK Study Tips
While 尥 is not included in the official HSK levels, it can be connected to other verbs of movement found in HSK vocabulary. Focus on understanding the context in which this action might be described, as it may enhance your descriptive language abilities.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, horses are important symbols of strength and freedom, often depicted in art and literature. The action of kicking backwards can reflect a horse's instinct to defend itself, which can be seen as a metaphor for human reactions to threats.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 尥 with similar-sounding verbs like 撩 (liāo), which means 'to tease or flirt.' Make sure to remember that 尥 specifically relates to the action of kicking backwards.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尥
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Cultural Notes for 尥
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, horses are important symbols of strength and freedom, often depicted in art and literature. The action of kicking backwards can reflect a horse's instinct to defend itself, which can be seen as a metaphor for human reactions to threats.
Word Family of 尥
Words Containing This Character2
尥liàoto give a backward kick (e.g. of a horse)
尥蹶子to kick with the hind legs
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 尥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尥
You might say, '这匹马突然尥了我一脚,' meaning 'This horse suddenly kicked me backwards.'
No, 尥 is more often found in literary texts or specific contexts involving horses.
While there are no direct synonyms, you can relate it to other verbs that describe horse movements, like 跑 (pǎo - to run).
