unknown, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #81841, Very Hard
潦
lǎo
heavy rain
unknown, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #81841, Very Hard
lǎo(lao3) T3
1to flood; puddle; dejected, careless
2flooded
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March 24, 2026
潦lǎo(lao3)
The character 潦 (lǎo) primarily refers to a situation involving flooding or accumulation of water, such as puddles formed from heavy rain. It can also convey feelings of dejection or carelessness, often in contexts where one's mood is affected by adverse weather conditions.
Strokes15Radical氵Frequency#81841DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, rain and flooding often symbolize feelings of melancholy or dejection, tying into the meaning of 潦. This character may appear in literary works reflecting on nature’s impact on human emotions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lazy person (lǎo sounds like 'lazy') sitting by a flooded street, watching puddles form around him. The water reflects his dejected mood, and he feels careless about the mess around him. The left radical '氵' (water) emphasizes the water-related meaning.
Meanings of 潦
lǎo(lao3)
1to flood; puddle; dejected, careless
2flooded
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 潦
潦Simplified
15Strokes
氵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 潦
Podcast: 潦
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AI Study Notes for 潦
Quick Contrast
潦 (lǎo) vs 淹 (yān) — use 潦 for shallow water accumulation or puddles, while 淹 refers specifically to flooding or submerging.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lazy person (lǎo sounds like 'lazy') sitting by a flooded street, watching puddles form around him. The water reflects his dejected mood, and he feels careless about the mess around him. The left radical '氵' (water) emphasizes the water-related meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 潦 with similar characters like 澪 (lín), which relates to rivers. This word tends to be used more in literary contexts rather than casual conversation, so it's best suited for formal writing or poetic expressions. Remember that 潦 is pronounced with a third tone (lǎo), which can be a common mistake for learners.
HSK Study Tips
Although 潦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK Level 4 and above, especially those studying literature or poetry. Focus on recognizing the character's components and its water-related meanings, as they often appear in more complex phrases.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, rain and flooding often symbolize feelings of melancholy or dejection, tying into the meaning of 潦. This character may appear in literary works reflecting on nature’s impact on human emotions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 潦 with similar-sounding characters. For example, using 潦 (lǎo) when they mean another character like 了 (le), which indicates completion, can lead to confusion. Always ensure you’re using the correct context for each character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 潦
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Grammar Patterns of 潦
潦 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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
很抱歉我写得如此____草。
I'm sorry what I wrote was such a scribble.
Example Sentences for 潦 (5)
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1
很抱歉我写得如此潦草。
hěn bào qiàn wǒ xiě dé rú cǐ lǎo cǎo。
I'm sorry what I wrote was such a scribble.
2
她在一张纸片上匆忙而潦草地写了下来。
tā zài yī zhāng zhǐ piàn shàng cōng máng ér lǎo cǎo dì xiě le xià lái。
She wrote it hastily and messily on a scrap of paper.
3
这封信是仓促手写而成，潦草得几乎无法辨认。
zhè fēng xìn shì cāng cù shǒu xiě ér chéng， ， lǎo cǎo dé jī hū wú fǎ biàn。
The letter was handwritten, in a hasty, barely decipherable scrawl.
4
这是不是弄得他穷愁潦倒的原因?
zhè shì bù shì nòng dé tā qióng chóu lǎo dǎo de yuán yīn?
The history of painting was full of artists who had earned nothing at all.
Cultural Notes for 潦
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, rain and flooding often symbolize feelings of melancholy or dejection, tying into the meaning of 潦. This character may appear in literary works reflecting on nature’s impact on human emotions.
Word Family of 潦
Words Containing This Character4
潦倒disappointed
潦草liáocǎocareless
潦lǎoflooded
穷愁潦倒destitute and troubled窮愁潦倒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 潦倒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 潦
It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but can describe situations involving heavy rain or flooding.
It is pronounced 'lǎo' with a third tone, which can be tricky for learners.
Typically, no. It conveys negative feelings or situations, such as being dejected or careless.
