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轤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轤lúpulley, windlass, capstanx, 23 strokes, radical 車
lú(lu2) T2
  1. 1pulley, windlass, capstan
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

轤lú(lu2)

The character 轤 (lú) refers to a mechanical device used to lift or move heavy objects, commonly known as a pulley or capstan. It is often used in contexts related to machinery, construction, and nautical operations, where such devices are essential for efficient movement and lifting.

Strokes23Radical車
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese shipbuilding, the use of pulleys and capstans was crucial for managing sails and cargo, reflecting the importance of maritime trade in Chinese history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large wheel (the radical 车, meaning vehicle or machine) that helps lift heavy loads. This wheel is like a 'loop' (sound similarity to 'lú') that keeps things in motion, illustrating both its form and function.

Meanings of 轤

lú(lu2)
1pulley, windlass, capstan
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 轤

轤Simplified
23Strokes
車Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 轤

JasonAmy

Podcast: 轤

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 轤

Usage Notes

This term is more technical and is commonly used in engineering or mechanical contexts. Learners should be cautious about using it in casual conversation, as it might not be understood by everyone. It often appears in compound words, such as 轤杆 (lú gān - lever).

HSK Study Tips

While 轤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial for students at higher levels exploring technical or specialized language. Students should focus on its application in contexts related to machinery and engineering terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 轤 with related terms like 绳 (shéng - rope) or other mechanical terms. For example, saying '我需要绳来提升' (I need rope to lift) instead of using '轤' to specify the type of lifting mechanism is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轤

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Etymology of 轤

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

wheel

Semantic (meaning)車
+
Phonetic (sound)盧
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 轤

  1. 1The meaning half車 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half盧 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywheel
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 轤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 轤?

Decomposition of 轤

IDS Structure⿰車盧
轤Full Character
=
車che1
left
盧lu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 轤?

How to say pulley, windlass, capstan in Chinese

“pulley, windlass, capstan” in Chinese is轤lú

The character 轤 (lú) refers to a mechanical device used to lift or move heavy objects, commonly known as a pulley or capstan. It is often used in contexts related to machinery, construction, and nautical operations, where such devices are essential for efficient movement and lifting.

When to use 轤

This term is more technical and is commonly used in engineering or mechanical contexts. Learners should be cautious about using it in casual conversation, as it might not be understood by everyone. It often appears in compound words, such as 轤杆 (lú gān - lever).

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 轤 with related terms like 绳 (shéng - rope) or other mechanical terms. For example, saying '我需要绳来提升' (I need rope to lift) instead of using '轤' to specify the type of lifting mechanism is incorrect.

Write 轤

轤

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 轤

Words Containing This Character2
辘轳well pulley轆轤
轳lúwindlass轤
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 辘轳 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 轤

It is pronounced as 'lú', with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

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