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March 24, 2026
掠lüè(lve4)
The character 掠 (luè) primarily means to seize or take something by force, often associated with robbery or plundering. It can also refer to more benign actions like skimming or brushing over a surface. This word is commonly used in contexts involving aggressive actions or quick, surface-level engagements.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#13671DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of plundering is often associated with the numerous invasions and conflicts that have shaped the dynastic narrative, making this character relevant in discussions of warfare and power dynamics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce eagle swooping down to 'snatch' its prey. The character 掠 has the radical for 'hand' (扌) on the left, suggesting the action of grabbing, while the right side resembles a 'rat' being caught - representing something being taken away forcefully.
Meanings of 掠
lüè(lve4)
primary
1to take over by force
2to rob
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 掠
掠Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#13671Frequency Rank
Podcast: 掠
Podcast: 掠
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AI Study Notes for 掠
Quick Contrast
掠 (luè) vs 抢 (qiǎng) — use 掠 for actions that imply a quick, surface-level engagement, while 抢 emphasizes a forceful, aggressive taking.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 掠 with similar verbs like 夺 (duó), which also means to seize but usually implies a more competitive context. It is generally used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the character can lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 掠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to taking or seizing, such as 夺 (duó) or 取 (qǔ). Students should focus on the nuances of meaning when using this character in different contexts, especially in literature or historical texts.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 掠 with the character 抓 (zhuā), which means to grasp or catch without the implication of forcefulness. Instead of saying '他抓了我的东西' (He grasped my things), using '他掠了我的东西' (He plundered my things) would be incorrect in a non-aggressive context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 掠
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 京 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half京 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 掠? 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 掠?
Decomposition of 掠
IDS Structure⿰扌京
掠Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
京Jing1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 掠?
How to say to take over by force in Chinese
“to take over by force” in Chinese is掠è
The character 掠 (luè) primarily means to seize or take something by force, often associated with robbery or plundering. It can also refer to more benign actions like skimming or brushing over a surface. This word is commonly used in contexts involving aggressive actions or quick, surface-level engagements.
When to use 掠
Learners often confuse 掠 with similar verbs like 夺 (duó), which also means to seize but usually implies a more competitive context. It is generally used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the character can lead to misunderstanding.
掠 or something close to it
掠 (luè) vs 抢 (qiǎng) — use 掠 for actions that imply a quick, surface-level engagement, while 抢 emphasizes a forceful, aggressive taking.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is confusing 掠 with the character 抓 (zhuā), which means to grasp or catch without the implication of forcefulness. Instead of saying '他抓了我的东西' (He grasped my things), using '他掠了我的东西' (He plundered my things) would be incorrect in a non-aggressive context.
Write 掠
掠
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Practice writing 掠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 掠
掠 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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
Complete the Sentence
伯格侧着头，脸上____过一丝调皮的神情。
Berg tilts his head and a mischievous look crosses his face.
