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March 24, 2026
牢láo(lao2)
The character 牢 (láo) primarily denotes something that is firm or sturdy. It is often used in contexts related to security, such as a prison or an animal pen, emphasizing the idea of confinement or stability. In broader usage, it can also imply concepts of sacrifice or dedication.
Strokes7Radical牛Frequency#2695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a '牢' can relate to historical forms of imprisonment, where prisons were often seen as places of reform. Additionally, animal pens were crucial in agricultural communities, reflecting the importance of livestock management.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong, iron cage (牢) that keeps animals safe and secure inside. The character visually resembles a sturdy enclosure, reminding you of its meaning related to firmness and protection. Picture the sound 'láo' as the clanging of metal bars that keep everything firmly in place.
Meanings of 牢
láo(lao2)
1firm
2sturdy
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 牢 means.
About 牢
牢Simplified
7Strokes
牛Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#2695Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 牢
Podcast: 牢
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AI Study Notes for 牢
Quick Contrast
牢 (láo) vs 安 (ān) — choose 牢 when emphasizing firmness or security, while 安 focuses on safety or peace.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 牢 with similar-sounding characters like 硬 (yìng, hard) which conveys a different nuance of firmness. It is more commonly used in formal contexts when discussing security or confinement. Be aware of the tone; 牢 is pronounced with a rising tone, which can alter its meaning if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 牢 is not a designated HSK word, it can be related to HSK Level 3 vocabulary such as 安全 (ānquán, safety) and 监狱 (jiānyù, prison). Focus on its implications in security settings and practice its usage in sentences to grasp its meaning more fully.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misinterpret 牢 as merely meaning 'hard' without recognizing its context of security and confinement. For instance, saying '这块石头很牢' (This stone is very firm) can be correct, but without context, it may sound odd compared to using it to describe a prison or secure environment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牢
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How Well Do You Know 牢?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 牢 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 牢 (láo) primarily denotes something that is firm or sturdy. It is often used in contexts related to security, such as a prison or an animal pen, emphasizing the idea of confinement or stability. In broader usage, it can also imply concepts of sacrifice or dedication.
When to use 牢
Learners often confuse 牢 with similar-sounding characters like 硬 (yìng, hard) which conveys a different nuance of firmness. It is more commonly used in formal contexts when discussing security or confinement. Be aware of the tone; 牢 is pronounced with a rising tone, which can alter its meaning if mispronounced.
牢 or something close to it
牢 (láo) vs 安 (ān) — choose 牢 when emphasizing firmness or security, while 安 focuses on safety or peace.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misinterpret 牢 as merely meaning 'hard' without recognizing its context of security and confinement. For instance, saying '这块石头很牢' (This stone is very firm) can be correct, but without context, it may sound odd compared to using it to describe a prison or secure environment.
Write 牢
牢
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Practice writing 牢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 牢
牢 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 6 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋顶固定得更____靠些。
Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.
