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碌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
liùlaboriousn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùsmall stonen, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùto recordn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùto tapen, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùto write downn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùto hiren, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùto employn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liùrocky, rough, uneven; mediocren, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
laboriousn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
small stonen, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
to recordn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
to tapen, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
to write downn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
to hiren, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
to employn, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
rocky, rough, uneven; mediocren, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #37901, Very Hard
liù(liu4)
primary
T4
  1. 1laborious
  2. 2small stone
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
liù(liu4)

The character 碌 (liù) primarily refers to something that is laborious or mediocre. It can also denote a small stone and is associated with recording or writing things down, as well as hiring or employing someone. This character is often used in contexts related to work and effort.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#37901DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, labor and effort are highly valued, which is reflected in the use of 碌 to describe hard work. The character often appears in discussions about social status and the dignity of labor.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rocky path where you laboriously walk over small stones (碌), each step reminding you of the effort it takes. The character's form, with its top resembling the peaks of rocks and the bottom hinting at movement, reflects the idea of a rough journey in both work and life.

Meanings of 碌

liù(liu4)
primary
1laborious
2small stone
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 碌

Simplified
13Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#37901Frequency Rank

Podcast: 碌

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 碌

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a rocky path where you laboriously walk over small stones (碌), each step reminding you of the effort it takes. The character's form, with its top resembling the peaks of rocks and the bottom hinting at movement, reflects the idea of a rough journey in both work and life.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 碌 with similar-sounding characters; it has a specific meaning of laboriousness. It is generally used in informal contexts, especially when discussing work. Common collocations include 碌碡 (liù zhou), referring to a type of stone roller used in agriculture.

HSK Study Tips

Although 碌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words related to work and effort at a similar level. Students should focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and compound words like 碌碡.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, labor and effort are highly valued, which is reflected in the use of 碌 to describe hard work. The character often appears in discussions about social status and the dignity of labor.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 碌 with other similar characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For example, using 碌 to mean 'smooth' instead of 'laborious' is a common mistake; it's important to remember its association with roughness and effort.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 碌

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Etymology of 碌

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

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 录 represents the sound. Simplified form of 磟.

Memory Hint

rock

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 碌?

Decomposition of 碌

IDS Structure⿰石录
Full Character
=
dan4
left
Lu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 碌?

Write 碌

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 碌

碌 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 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

突然,我骨____碌地滚下坡,完全晕头转向了。

Suddenly I was cartwheeling down the slope, all orientation gone.

Example Sentences for 碌 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
突然,我骨碌碌地滚下坡,完全晕头转向了。

tū rán, , wǒ gǔ lù lù dì gǔn xià, pō , wán quán yùn tóu zhuǎn。

Suddenly I was cartwheeling down the slope, all orientation gone.
2
这事得往后放。这是我们最忙碌的时候。

zhè shì dé wǎng hòu fàng。 。 zhè shì wǒ mén zuì máng lù de shí。

It'll have to wait. This is our busiest time .
3
这有助于他们忙碌一天后放松自己。

zhè yǒu zhù yú tā mén máng lù yī tiān hòu fàng sōng zì jǐ。

It helps them to unwind after a busy day at work.
4
今天迎接我们的将是非常忙碌的一天。

jīn tiān yíng jiē wǒ mén de jiāng shì fēi cháng máng lù de yī tiān。

We have a very busy day ahead of us today.
5
经过半个小时的忙碌,她全都做完了。

jīng guò bàn gè xiǎo shí de máng lù, , tā quán dū zuò wán。

In half an hour's whirl of activity she does it all.
6
一些人迫于生计不得不过着紧张忙碌的生活。

yī xiē rén pò yú shēng jì bù dé bù guò zháo jǐn zhāng máng lù de shēng huó。

Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity.
7
如果我都不能让自己忙碌起来,那真是太可怜了。

rú guǒ wǒ dū bù néng ràng zì jǐ máng lù qǐ lái, , nà zhēn shì tài kě lián。

I would deserve to be pitied if I couldn't occupy myself.
8
这位医生在产房刺目的灯光下忙碌着。

zhè wèi yī shēng zài chǎn fáng cì mù de dēng guāng xià máng lù zháo。

The doctor worked busily beneath the blinding lights of the delivery room.
9
西蒙·莱恩很快找到了适合自己的位置,成了一名忙碌的模型制作的自由职业者。

xī mēng· · lái ēn hěn kuài zhǎo dào le shì hé zì jǐ de wèi, zhì , chéng le yī míng máng lù de mó xíng zhì zuò de zì yóu zhí。

Simon Lane quickly found his niche as a busy freelance model maker.
10
本一骨碌坐了起来,表情紧张而惊恐。

běn yī gǔ lù zuò le qǐ lái, , biǎo qíng jǐn zhāng ér jīng。

Ben sat up quickly, his face taut and terrified.

Cultural Notes for 碌

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, labor and effort are highly valued, which is reflected in the use of 碌 to describe hard work. The character often appears in discussions about social status and the dignity of labor.

Word Family of 碌

Words Containing This Character12
忙碌mánglùbusy
liùlaborious
劳碌tiring勞碌
庸庸碌碌ordinary
骨碌to spin
庸碌mediocre
一骨碌in one breath
骨碌碌spinning
碌碡Taiwan pr. [lù​dú]
碌曲县Luqu county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘南藏族自治州[Gān​nán​Zàng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], Gansu碌曲縣
庸碌无能mediocre and incompetent庸碌無能
碌曲Luqu county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture 甘南藏族自治州[Gān​nán​Zàng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], Gansu
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 忙碌 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 碌

It means laborious or mediocre and can also refer to small stones.