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March 24, 2026
廖liào(Liao4)
The character 廖 (liào) primarily refers to something that is deserted, empty, or few in quantity. It is also a common Chinese surname, making it significant in personal names. In contexts, it can describe a lack of people or resources, conveying a sense of desolation.
Strokes14Radical广Frequency#57256DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The surname 廖 is associated with notable historical figures in China, especially in military and political contexts, highlighting its cultural significance. It reflects the importance of surnames in Chinese identity and lineage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deserted landscape where only a few trees are left standing. The character 廖 (liào) can be visualized as a deserted area, where the '广' (wide) part represents an open space, and the '夭' (yāo) hints at the emptiness above, like a clear sky.
Meanings of 廖
liào(Liao4)
1deserted, empty, few; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 廖
廖Simplified
14Strokes
广Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 廖
Podcast: 廖
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AI Study Notes for 廖
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 廖 (liào) with similar-sounding words. It is often used in literary or formal contexts to describe emptiness and is less common in everyday conversation. When using it as a surname, remember that it is pronounced with a fourth tone, ensuring clarity.
HSK Study Tips
While 廖 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be connected to words describing quantity and emptiness. Students should focus on its usage in literature and names, and how it relates to other characters representing lack or scarcity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 廖 as liāo instead of liào. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar characters related to abundance, such as 丰 (fēng), which means abundant.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 廖
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How Well Do You Know 廖?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 廖 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.
The character 廖 (liào) primarily refers to something that is deserted, empty, or few in quantity. It is also a common Chinese surname, making it significant in personal names. In contexts, it can describe a lack of people or resources, conveying a sense of desolation.
When to use 廖
Be cautious not to confuse 廖 (liào) with similar-sounding words. It is often used in literary or formal contexts to describe emptiness and is less common in everyday conversation. When using it as a surname, remember that it is pronounced with a fourth tone, ensuring clarity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 廖 as liāo instead of liào. Additionally, they might confuse it with similar characters related to abundance, such as 丰 (fēng), which means abundant.
Write 廖
廖
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Grammar Patterns of 廖
廖 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 2 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
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