Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
锣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锣luógongn, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #16209, Very Hard
luó(luo2)luo T2
  1. 1gong
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

锣(鑼)luó(luo2)

The character 锣 (luó) refers to a type of percussion instrument known as a gong, commonly used in traditional Chinese music and ceremonies. It produces a resonant sound when struck and is often associated with celebrations, rituals, and performances.

Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#16209DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the 锣 is often used during festivals and important ceremonies to signal the beginning of events, such as weddings or New Year celebrations, symbolizing joy and festivity.

Memory tip

Imagine a large, shiny gong (锣) that sounds like 'luó' when you hit it. The character has the metal radical 钅 (indicating it is a metal instrument) and resembles a round shape, evoking the image of the resonating surface of a gong.

Meanings of 锣

luó(luo2)
1gong
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 锣 means.

About 锣

锣Simplified
鑼Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
面Measure Word

Podcast: 锣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 锣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 锣

Usage Notes

In informal contexts, it's common to hear the word 锣 used in conjunction with other musical instruments, such as in phrases like '锣鼓' (luó gǔ), meaning 'gongs and drums.' Avoid confusing 锣 with other similar-sounding words that represent different instruments, as this can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners interested in music or cultural studies. Focus on the context of celebrations and performances to help retain the word, and try using it in sentences about music-related topics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锣 (luó) with 逻 (luó), which means 'logic' or 'sequence.' Remember that 锣 specifically refers to the gong, while 逻 has a different meaning and context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锣

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 锣, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 锣 to you

Let me explain 锣 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 锣 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 锣?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 锣 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 锣

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 罗 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鑼.

Memory hint

bell

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

Origin

锣 = 钅 + 罗. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 锣

IDS Structure⿰钅罗
锣Full character
=
钅jin1
left
罗luo1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 锣?

How to say gong in Chinese

“gong” in Chinese is锣luó

The character 锣 (luó) refers to a type of percussion instrument known as a gong, commonly used in traditional Chinese music and ceremonies. It produces a resonant sound when struck and is often associated with celebrations, rituals, and performances.

When to use 锣

In informal contexts, it's common to hear the word 锣 used in conjunction with other musical instruments, such as in phrases like '锣鼓' (luó gǔ), meaning 'gongs and drums.' Avoid confusing 锣 with other similar-sounding words that represent different instruments, as this can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 锣 (luó) with 逻 (luó), which means 'logic' or 'sequence.' Remember that 锣 specifically refers to the gong, while 逻 has a different meaning and context.

Write 锣

锣

Practice writing 锣 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 锣

锣 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____鼓声中,千舟竞渡.

Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.

Example sentences for 锣 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
锣鼓声中,千舟竞渡.

luó gǔ shēng zhōng, qiān zhōu jìng dù.

Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.
Exercise 1 of 1

Rebuild it

Rebuild it: “Dragon boats are paddled with a band beating gongs and drums.”

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Ask Jason

Have a question about 锣?

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 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 锣

Words containing this character6
锣luógong鑼
锣鼓gongs and drums鑼鼓
铜锣Tongluo or Tunglo township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县[Miáo​lì​xiàn], northwest Taiwan銅鑼
开锣to beat the gong to open a performance開鑼
鸣锣开道to beat the gong to clear the way鳴鑼開道
开台锣鼓opening gong開臺鑼鼓
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 锣

What does 锣鼓 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 锣

It is pronounced as 'luó' with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 锣?

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