Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
藕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
藕ǒulotus rootn, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #35387, Very Hard
藕ǒuroot of lotusunknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #35387, Very Hard
ǒu(ou3)ou T3
  1. 1lotus root
  2. 2root of lotus
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

藕ǒu(ou3)

藕 (ǒu) refers to the edible root of the lotus plant, commonly used in Chinese cuisine for its crunchy texture and ability to absorb flavors. It is often featured in stir-fries, soups, and salads, and is appreciated for both its taste and nutritional value.

Strokes18Radical艹Frequency#35387DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, lotus roots are not only prized for their culinary uses but also symbolize purity and enlightenment, as the lotus flower grows beautifully from muddy waters. They are often featured in traditional dishes, especially during festivals.

Memory tip

Imagine a long, snakelike root that is submerged in water. The character 藕 resembles a lotus flower at the top, suggesting its connection to water and nature. The sound 'ǒu' can be remembered by picturing an 'owl' (ǒu) looking for food in muddy waters, hunting for lotus roots.

Meanings of 藕

ǒu(ou3)
1lotus root
2root of lotus
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 藕 means.

About 藕

藕Simplified
18Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 藕

JasonAmy

Podcast: 藕

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 藕

Quick Contrast

莲藕 (lián ǒu) refers specifically to the lotus root, emphasizing its connection to the lotus plant, while 藕 (ǒu) can refer more generally to the root itself.

Usage Notes

藕 is typically used in the context of food and cooking. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use it specifically for lotus root. This term is informal and often found in daily conversation or cooking contexts.

HSK Study Tips

While 藕 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK Level 2 and 3 food-related terms, such as 饭 (fàn - rice) and 菜 (cài - vegetables). Students should focus on recognizing it in menus and recipes, as it enhances their culinary vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 藕 as 'óu' instead of 'ǒu'. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar roots like 红薯 (hóngshǔ - sweet potato); remember that 藕 specifically refers to lotus root.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 藕

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 藕 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 藕 to you

Let me explain 藕 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 藕 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 藕?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 藕 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
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 藕

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

plant

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

Origin

藕 = 艹 + 耦. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 藕

IDS Structure⿱艹耦
藕Full character
=
艹cao3
top
耦ou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 藕?

How to say lotus root in Chinese

“lotus root” in Chinese is藕ǒu

藕 (ǒu) refers to the edible root of the lotus plant, commonly used in Chinese cuisine for its crunchy texture and ability to absorb flavors. It is often featured in stir-fries, soups, and salads, and is appreciated for both its taste and nutritional value.

When to use 藕

藕 is typically used in the context of food and cooking. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use it specifically for lotus root. This term is informal and often found in daily conversation or cooking contexts.

藕 or something close to it

莲藕 (lián ǒu) refers specifically to the lotus root, emphasizing its connection to the lotus plant, while 藕 (ǒu) can refer more generally to the root itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 藕 as 'óu' instead of 'ǒu'. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar roots like 红薯 (hóngshǔ - sweet potato); remember that 藕 specifically refers to lotus root.

Write 藕

藕

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 藕?

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 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 藕

Words containing this character3
藕ǒuroot of lotus
莲藕lotus root蓮藕
藕断丝连lit. lotus roots may break, but the fiber remains joined (idiom); lovers part, but still long for one another藕斷絲連
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 藕

What does 莲藕 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 藕

Common dishes include lotus root stir-fry, soups, and salads, where it's often sliced thinly.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 藕?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab