Meanings of 落
By ear
Play it, then pick what 落 means.
About 落
Podcast: 落
Podcast: 落
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 落
掉 (diào) — use 落 (là) when emphasizing a downward motion or a state of being left behind, while 掉 (diào) focuses more on the act of dropping something accidentally.
Learners often confuse 落 (là) with similar-sounding characters like 了 (le) or 落 (luò). It is important to note that 落 (là) is used in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the context to determine the appropriate tone. Common collocations include '落下' (to fall down) and '落后' (to fall behind).
Although 落 (là) is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to movement and change, such as 跑 (pǎo - to run) and 走 (zǒu - to walk). Students should focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to familiarize themselves with its nuances.
A frequent mistake is confusing 落 (là) with 落 (luò), which pertains to different meanings. For example, saying '我落了我的书' (I dropped my book) is correct, while saying '我落了我的书' when intending to mean 'I left my book behind' could lead to confusion; you should specify the context.
Pronunciation of 落
Drill the tone of 落 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 落 to You
Let me explain 落 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 落 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 落?
Learning Lab
Knowing 落 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 落
Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 洛 represents the sound.
plant
Origin
落 = 艹 + 洛. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 落
Parts
Which of these is part of 落?
How to say to leave out in Chinese
“to leave out” in Chinese is落
The character 落 (là) primarily means 'to fall' or 'to drop.' It is commonly used to describe physical actions like falling or dropping objects, but can also convey more abstract meanings such as declining in status or being left behind. This versatility allows it to be used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to literary expressions.
When to use 落
Learners often confuse 落 (là) with similar-sounding characters like 了 (le) or 落 (luò). It is important to note that 落 (là) is used in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the context to determine the appropriate tone. Common collocations include '落下' (to fall down) and '落后' (to fall behind).
落 or something close to it
掉 (diào) — use 落 (là) when emphasizing a downward motion or a state of being left behind, while 掉 (diào) focuses more on the act of dropping something accidentally.
What learners get wrong
A frequent mistake is confusing 落 (là) with 落 (luò), which pertains to different meanings. For example, saying '我落了我的书' (I dropped my book) is correct, while saying '我落了我的书' when intending to mean 'I left my book behind' could lead to confusion; you should specify the context.
Write 落
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 落 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 落
落 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 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
...
这个苹果是掉落的。
This apple is fallen.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
大家都来问我的意见了，没想到这个问题也____到我头上来了。
Everyone is coming to ask my opinion — I never expected this problem to land on my plate too.
Common Confusions with 落
Similar in pronunciation but different meanings and usages.
落 means to fall or drop, while 落后 means to lag behind.
他在学习上落后于同学。
落 means to fall or drop, while 落后 means to lag behind.
Which one
Which one means “to leave out”?
Usage Notes for 落
落 should not be used interchangeably with other verbs like '掉' (to drop) without careful consideration of context.
我掉了我的书。
I dropped my book.
Example Sentences for 落 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 落?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 落
The character 落 has its origins in the concept of plants falling or dropping leaves, symbolizing change or the passage of time. In traditional Chinese culture, the falling of leaves is often associated with the changing seasons and the natural cycle of life.
In English, the phrase 'to drop the ball' means to make a mistake or fail to meet an obligation. Similarly, in Chinese, the character 落 can imply falling behind or missing something, highlighting the universal theme of responsibility in both cultures.
Word Family of 落
Words with 落
What does 部落 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 落
落 is pronounced as 'là' in the fourth tone, 'lào' in the fourth tone as well, and 'luò' in the fourth tone. Each pronunciation corresponds to different meanings and uses in sentences, so it's important to learn these distinctions.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 落?
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.