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镂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镂lòuto inlay; to engrave, to carve; tattoov, 14 strokes, radical 钅
镂lòuhard steelunknown, 14 strokes, radical 钅
lòu(lou4)lou T4
  1. 1to inlay; to engrave, to carve; tattoo
  2. 2hard steel
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March 24, 2026

镂(鏤)lòu(lou4)

The character 镂 (lòu) primarily means to engrave or carve, especially in the context of intricate designs or patterns on materials such as metal or wood. It can also refer to the act of inlaying, where materials are set into a surface to create decorative effects. This term is often used in artistic and craftsmanship contexts, highlighting precision and detail.

Strokes14Radical钅
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, engraving and inlaying are traditional crafts often seen in art pieces, jewelry, and architectural designs, symbolizing meticulous craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. This practice dates back to ancient times, showcasing the importance of artistry in Chinese history.

Memory tip

Imagine a skilled artisan using a sharp tool to carefully carve a beautiful design into a piece of metal. The character 镂 (lòu) resembles a metal frame (the radical 钅) surrounding a delicate carving, reminding you of the careful inlay work done on precious materials.

Meanings of 镂

lòu(lou4)
1to inlay; to engrave, to carve; tattoo
2hard steel
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 镂 means.

About 镂

镂Simplified
鏤Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 镂

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Podcast: 镂

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AI study notes for 镂

Quick Contrast

镌 (juān) - use 镂 (lòu) for intricate engraving, while 镌 (juān) is more about carving or chiseling, often used for broader or less detailed work.

Usage Notes

Students should be aware that 镂 is typically used in more formal or artistic contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 镂空 (lòu kōng - hollowed out) and 镂刻 (lòu kè - to engrave). A common mistake is confusing it with 刻 (kè), which also means to carve but in a broader sense.

HSK Study Tips

While 镂 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other characters related to art and craftsmanship, such as 刻 (kè) and 雕 (diāo). Focus on understanding the distinction between these characters and their specific nuances in meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 镂 with 画 (huà - to paint), leading to sentences like '我喜欢镂画' instead of '我喜欢画镂刻的图案' (I like to paint engraved patterns). Ensure you use镂 specifically for engraving contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镂

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Etymology of 镂

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

metal

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

Origin

镂 = 钅 + 娄. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 镂

IDS Structure⿰钅娄
镂Full character
=
钅jin1
left
娄Lou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 镂?

How to say to inlay; to engrave, to carve; tattoo in Chinese

“to inlay; to engrave, to carve; tattoo” in Chinese is镂lòu

The character 镂 (lòu) primarily means to engrave or carve, especially in the context of intricate designs or patterns on materials such as metal or wood. It can also refer to the act of inlaying, where materials are set into a surface to create decorative effects. This term is often used in artistic and craftsmanship contexts, highlighting precision and detail.

When to use 镂

Students should be aware that 镂 is typically used in more formal or artistic contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 镂空 (lòu kōng - hollowed out) and 镂刻 (lòu kè - to engrave). A common mistake is confusing it with 刻 (kè), which also means to carve but in a broader sense.

镂 or something close to it

镌 (juān) - use 镂 (lòu) for intricate engraving, while 镌 (juān) is more about carving or chiseling, often used for broader or less detailed work.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 镂 with 画 (huà - to paint), leading to sentences like '我喜欢镂画' instead of '我喜欢画镂刻的图案' (I like to paint engraved patterns). Ensure you use镂 specifically for engraving contexts.

Write 镂

镂

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

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Grammar patterns of 镂

镂 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 2 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 1

Fill the gap

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

在雕____变换外上阴区外示了广度与闭口度之间的干系.

Carving conversion chart area a negative depth and widths.

Example sentences for 镂 (1)

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1
在雕镂变换外上阴区外示了广度与闭口度之间的干系.

zài diāo lòu biànhuàn wài shàng yīn Ōu wài shì le guǎng dù yǔ bì kǒu dù zhījiān de gān jì.

Carving conversion chart area a negative depth and widths.

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Word Family of 镂

Words containing this character5
镂空lòukōngopenwork鏤空
镂lòuto engrave鏤
镂刻lòukèto carve鏤刻
镌镂juānlòuto engrave鐫鏤
铭心镂骨míngxīnlòugǔundying gratitude銘心鏤骨
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 镂

What does 镂空 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 镂

镂 specifically refers to engraving or inlaying with a focus on intricate designs, while 刻 is a more general term for carving or cutting.

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