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率 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
rateHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to leadHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
frequencyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to commandHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to command, to lead; rate, ratio, proportionHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
rashHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
hastyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
frankHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
straightforwardHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
generallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
usuallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàirateHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàito leadHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàifrequencyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàito commandHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàito command, to lead; rate, ratio, proportionHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàirashHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàihastyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàifrankHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàistraightforwardHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàigenerallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
shuàiusuallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
rateHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to leadHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
frequencyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to commandHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
to command, to lead; rate, ratio, proportionHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
rashHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
hastyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
frankHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
straightforwardHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
generallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
usuallyHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 玄, rank #3402, Hard
(lü4)
primary
T4
  1. 1rate
  2. 2to lead
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(lü4)

The character 率 (lǜ) primarily means 'to lead' or 'to command.' It can also refer to 'rate' or 'ratio,' often used in contexts involving statistics or comparisons. In addition, it carries the connotation of being straightforward or hasty, which can be important in understanding its nuances in conversation.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#3402DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, leadership and command are highly valued, especially in hierarchical contexts like family and business. The character's usage reflects the importance placed on authority and guidance in both traditional and modern settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a leader (率) standing boldly at the front, waving a flag (代表) to command their troops. The flag symbolizes guidance and leadership, and the 'lǜ' sound can remind you of the word 'lead' in English, linking back to its meaning of directing or commanding.

Meanings of 率

(lü4)
primary
1rate
2to lead
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 率

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
后接成分suffix-forming morpheme (suff.)Part of Speech
#3402Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 率

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 率

Quick Contrast

率 (lǜ) vs 比率 (bǐlǜ) — use 率 for leading or commanding contexts, while 比率 specifically refers to a statistical ratio.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a leader (率) standing boldly at the front, waving a flag (代表) to command their troops. The flag symbolizes guidance and leadership, and the 'lǜ' sound can remind you of the word 'lead' in English, linking back to its meaning of directing or commanding.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone, as 率 is pronounced with a falling tone (lǜ), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in business or statistical discussions, such as '增长率' (growth rate). Common collocations include '率领' (to lead) and '利率' (interest rate).

HSK Study Tips

Although 率 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it is related to other words that discuss leadership and measurement, such as '领导' (leader) and '比例' (proportion). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences to grasp its dual meanings and contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, leadership and command are highly valued, especially in hierarchical contexts like family and business. The character's usage reflects the importance placed on authority and guidance in both traditional and modern settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 率 with 率 (shǔ), which means 'to count.' For example, saying '我率你去' (I rate you to go) instead of '我率领你去' (I lead you to go) demonstrates this error. Always remember that 率 is associated with leadership and measurement.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 率

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Etymology of 率

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a rope (系) surrounded by four dots. Originally depicted a type of rope. The meaning later shifted to "lead".

Memory Hint

A string 幺 vibrating in an instrument 亠十

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 率?

Decomposition of 率

IDS Structure⿱亠⿱⿻幺?十
Full Character
=
tou2
top
Yao1
outer
shi2
inner
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 率?

Write 率

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 率

率 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 11 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 1

Complete the Sentence

公司决定缩减开支并提高效____。

The company decided to reduce expenses and improve efficiency.

Common Confusions with 率

vs

Similar pronunciation, but different meanings and usages

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "rate"?

or

Example Sentences for 率 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我工作非常有效率,处事果断,而且判断准确。

wǒ gōng zuò fēi cháng yǒu xiào shuài, , chǔ shì guǒ, duàn , ér qiě pàn duàn。

I work very efficiently and am decisive, and accurate in my judgement.
2
去年,这个集团的纯利润率为30%。

qù nián, , zhè gè jí tuán de chún lì rùn shuài30%。

The group had a net profit margin of 30% last year.
3
坦率地说,你认为这个学校怎么样?

tǎn shuài dì shuō, , nǐ rèn wéi zhè gè xué xiào zěn mó?

What do you think of the school, in your honest opinion?
4
失业率上升,相对应的是生产率进一步提高。

shī yè shuài shàng shēng, , xiāng duì yīng de shì shēng chǎn shuài jìn yī bù tí。

The obverse of rising unemployment is continued gains in productivity.
5
利率有望早日下调,从而增强了人们的信心。

lì shuài yǒu wàng zǎo rì xià tiáo, , cóng ér zēng qiáng le rén mén de xìn。

Hopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence.
6
这家医院率先使用了分娩池。

zhè jiā yī yuàn shuài xiān shǐ yòng le fēn miǎn chí。

The hospital has pioneered the use of birthing pools.
7
这番率直的话让理查德不由自主地大笑起来。

zhè fān shuài zhí de huà ràng lǐ chá dé bù yóu zì zhǔ dì dà xiào qǐ lái。

The blunt comment made Richard laugh in spite of himself.
8
这是向较低利率迈出的重要一步。

zhè shì xiàng jiào dī lì shuài mài chū de zhòng yào yī bù。

This is an important step toward lower interest rates.
9
亨特先生及他率领的管理小组加入了州长们的队伍。

hēng tè xiān shēng jí tā shuài lǐng de guǎn lǐ xiǎo zǔ jiā rù le zhōu cháng mén de duì wǔ。

The governors were joined by Mr Hunter and his management team.
10
自去年6月以来,该国的失业率一直在不断上升。

zì qù nián6 6 yuè yǐ, lái , gāi guó de shī yè shuài yī zhí zài bù duàn。

The nation's unemployment rate has been climbing steadily since last June.

Cultural Notes for 率

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, leadership and command are highly valued, especially in hierarchical contexts like family and business. The character's usage reflects the importance placed on authority and guidance in both traditional and modern settings.

Word Family of 率

Compounds2
shuai1to throw down
shuai4cricket (2)
Words Containing This Character20
to lead
频率pínlǜfrequency頻率
效率xiàolǜefficiency
利率lìlǜinterest rates
几率jīlǜodds幾率
收视率shōushìlǜratings (of a TV show)收視率
率先shuàixiānto take the lead
概率gàilǜprobability (math.)
汇率huìlǜexchange rate匯率
率领shuàilǐngto lead率領
坦率tǎnshuàiblunt
草率cǎoshuàicareless
收益率earnings rate
增长率growth rate (esp. in economics)增長率
分辨率resolution (of images, monitors, scanners etc)
比率ratio
功率gōnglǜrate of work
死亡率mortality rate
轻率cavalier輕率
速率speed
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 摔 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 率

率 (lǜ, lu:4, shuài) means 'rate' or 'to lead', while 率领 (shuàilǐng) specifically means 'to lead' or 'to command a group'. The addition of 领 (lǐng) emphasizes the act of leading or guiding a team or organization.