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March 24, 2026
饶(饒)ráo(Rao2)
The character 饶 (ráo) primarily means to forgive or to spare, often used in contexts of leniency or generosity. It can also imply abundance, suggesting richness or exuberance in a variety of situations, such as describing plentiful resources or a generous act. This character is versatile and may appear in both formal and informal contexts, depending on its usage.
Strokes9Radical饣Frequency#5139DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of forgiveness is significant, often emphasized in familial and social relationships. The idea of sparing someone or adding to their experience, as represented by 饶, reflects the cultural value placed on harmony and generosity.
Memory tip
Imagine a generous banquet (饶) filled with abundant food. The character's left side, 饣, resembles a table with dishes, and the right side, 交, can evoke the idea of sharing those dishes with others. Think of the sound 'ráo' as a welcoming invitation to enjoy this feast, where everyone is forgiven for taking extra helpings.
Meanings of 饶
ráo(Rao2)
1rich
2abundant
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 饶 means.
About 饶
饶Simplified
饒Traditional
9Strokes
饣Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5139Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 饶
Podcast: 饶
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AI study notes for 饶
Quick Contrast
宽恕 (kuānshù, to forgive) is more formal and specifically refers to the act of forgiveness, while 饶 (ráo) can imply a broader sense of leniency or abundance.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 饶 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. It is important to note its formal and informal uses; for example, using it in a business context might require a more formal tone. Common collocations include 饶恕 (ráoshù - to forgive) and 饶有 (ráoyǒu - rich in). Watch out for the third tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 饶 is not officially part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to HSK Level 5 or 6 due to its abstract meanings. Students should focus on context and collocations with verbs to enhance their understanding. Exploring synonyms like 赦免 (shèmiǎn - to pardon) can also deepen comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 饶 with 饶恕 (ráoshù) and mistakenly use them interchangeably when discussing forgiveness. For example, saying '我饶了他' (Wǒ ráo le tā - I forgave him) instead of '我饶恕了他' (Wǒ ráoshù le tā) can lead to confusion about the formal nature of the action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饶
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饶 = 饣 + 尧. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 饶
IDS Structure⿰饣尧
饶Full character
=
饣shi2
left
尧Yao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 饶?
How to say rich in Chinese
“rich” in Chinese is饶ráo
The character 饶 (ráo) primarily means to forgive or to spare, often used in contexts of leniency or generosity. It can also imply abundance, suggesting richness or exuberance in a variety of situations, such as describing plentiful resources or a generous act. This character is versatile and may appear in both formal and informal contexts, depending on its usage.
When to use 饶
Learners often confuse 饶 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. It is important to note its formal and informal uses; for example, using it in a business context might require a more formal tone. Common collocations include 饶恕 (ráoshù - to forgive) and 饶有 (ráoyǒu - rich in). Watch out for the third tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
饶 or something close to it
宽恕 (kuānshù, to forgive) is more formal and specifically refers to the act of forgiveness, while 饶 (ráo) can imply a broader sense of leniency or abundance.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 饶 with 饶恕 (ráoshù) and mistakenly use them interchangeably when discussing forgiveness. For example, saying '我饶了他' (Wǒ ráo le tā - I forgave him) instead of '我饶恕了他' (Wǒ ráoshù le tā) can lead to confusion about the formal nature of the action.
Write 饶
饶
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Grammar patterns of 饶
饶 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 11 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我____有兴致地阅读了杰曼·格里尔在三月那期发表的文章。
I read Germaine Greer's article in the March issue with particular interest.
Example sentences for 饶 (10)
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1
我饶有兴致地阅读了杰曼·格里尔在三月那期发表的文章。
wǒ ráo yǒu xìngzhì dì yuèdú le jié màn· gé lǐ ěr zài sān yuè nà qī fābiǎo de wénzhāng。
I read Germaine Greer's article in the March issue with particular interest.
2
汽船向我们嘟嘟鸣笛时，甲板上的水手们饶有趣味地挥着手。
qì chuán xiàng wǒmen dū dū míng dí shí， jiǎ bǎn shàng de shuǐshǒu men ráo yǒuqù wèi dì huī zhuóshǒu。
Steamers tooted at us as sailors on deck waved in amusement.
3
他停下来，饶有兴趣地看着孩子如此投入。
tā tíngxià lái， ráo yǒu xìngqù dì kàn zhe háizi rúcǐ tóurù。
He stopped and watched with amusement to see the child so absorbed.
4
这本书里都是些饶有趣味的闲谈瞎扯。
zhè běn shū lǐ dōushì xiē ráo yǒuqù wèi de xián tán xiā chě。
Any one of my players who steps out of line will be in trouble with me as well.
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Word Family of 饶
Words containing this character20
饶ráorich饒
饶恕ráoshùto forgive饒恕
求饶qiúráoto beg forgiveness求饒
饶舌ráoshétalkative饒舌
饶命ráomìngto spare sb's life饒命
上饶shàngráoShangrao prefecture level city and county in Jiangxi上饒
不依不饶bùyībùráoto treat severely without listening to excuses不依不饒
饶有ráoyǒufull of (interest, humor, sentiment etc)饒有
富饶fùráofertile富饒
上饶市shàngráoshìShangrao prefecture level city in Jiangxi上饒市
饶平ráopíngRaoping county in Chaozhou 潮州[Cháozhōu], Guangdong饒平
得饶人处且饶人déráorénchùqiěráorénwhere it is possible to let people off, one should spare them (idiom); anyone can make mistakes, forgive them when possible得饒人處且饒人
上饶县shàngráoxiànShangrao county in Shangrao 上饒|上饶, Jiangxi上饒縣
丰饶fēngráorich and fertile豐饒
讨饶tǎoráoto beg for mercy討饒
上饶地区shàngráodìqūShangrao prefecture in Jiangxi上饒地區
告饶gàoráoto beg for mercy告饒
饶平县ráopíngxiànRaoping county in Chaozhou 潮州[Cháozhōu], Guangdong饒平縣
广饶guǎngráoGuanrao county in Dongying 東營|东营[Dōngyíng], Shandong廣饒
广饶县guǎngráoxiànGuanrao county in Dongying 東營|东营[Dōngyíng], Shandong廣饒縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 饶
What does 饶恕 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 饶
Common phrases include 饶恕 (ráoshù - to forgive) and 饶有趣味 (ráoyǒu qùwèi - rich in interest).
Yes, it can be used in both formal and informal settings, particularly when discussing generosity or forgiveness.
饶 is pronounced in the second tone (ráo), which is crucial for conveying the correct meaning.
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