Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
櫓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
櫓lǔoar, scull; to row, to scullzg, 19 strokes, radical 木
lǔ(lu3) T3
  1. 1oar, scull; to row, to scull
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

櫓lǔ(lu3)

The character 櫓 (lǔ) primarily means 'oar' or 'scull,' which are tools used for rowing boats. It can also refer to the action of rowing itself. This term is commonly used in contexts related to boating and water sports.

Strokes19Radical木
Cultural Note

Boating is a significant leisure activity in many parts of China, especially in regions with abundant rivers and lakes. Understanding terms like 櫓 can enhance your appreciation of traditional Chinese water sports and cultural practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large oar (櫓) that is used to propel a boat forward, and visualize the sound of 'lǔ' as you row in rhythm with the waves. The character has a wood radical (木) suggesting it is made from wood, which is fitting for an oar.

Meanings of 櫓

lǔ(lu3)
1oar, scull; to row, to scull
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 櫓

櫓Simplified
19Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 櫓

JasonAmy

Podcast: 櫓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 櫓

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 櫓 (lǔ) with similar-sounding characters, as they may have different meanings and uses. This term is generally more formal and specific to boating contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations about unrelated topics.

HSK Study Tips

Although 櫓 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it can be an interesting addition for learners interested in nautical terms. Focus on understanding its usage in context with other water-related vocabulary, such as 船 (chuán - boat) and 划 (huá - to row).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 櫓 (lǔ) with other characters such as 轮 (lún - wheel) due to similar sounds. Ensure you remember that 櫓 specifically pertains to rowing tools and actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 櫓

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 櫓 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 櫓

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 鲁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 櫓.

Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)魯
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 櫓

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 鲁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 櫓.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half魯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 櫓? 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 櫓?

Decomposition of 櫓

IDS Structure⿰木魯
櫓Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
魯lu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 櫓?

How to say oar, scull; to row, to scull in Chinese

“oar, scull; to row, to scull” in Chinese is櫓lǔ

The character 櫓 (lǔ) primarily means 'oar' or 'scull,' which are tools used for rowing boats. It can also refer to the action of rowing itself. This term is commonly used in contexts related to boating and water sports.

When to use 櫓

Be careful not to confuse 櫓 (lǔ) with similar-sounding characters, as they may have different meanings and uses. This term is generally more formal and specific to boating contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations about unrelated topics.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 櫓 (lǔ) with other characters such as 轮 (lún - wheel) due to similar sounds. Ensure you remember that 櫓 specifically pertains to rowing tools and actions.

Write 櫓

櫓

Practice writing 櫓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 櫓

Words Containing This Character1
橹lǔscull (single oar worked from side to side over the stern of a boat) (free word)㯭
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 橹 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 櫓

櫓 (lǔ) refers specifically to the oar used for rowing, while 划 (huá) is the verb 'to row'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 櫓?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.