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March 24, 2026
律Lǜ(Lv4)
The character 律 (lǜ) primarily means 'law' or 'regulation' and is often used in legal contexts or to express principles governing behavior. It can also refer to the surname Lü, which is a common family name in China. In usage, it conveys a sense of order and structure, particularly within formal or governmental settings.
Strokes9Radical彳Frequency#5991DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of law (律) is closely tied to Confucian ideals of social order and morality, emphasizing the importance of rules in maintaining harmony in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strict ruler (律) who enforces laws (lǜ) in a kingdom. The character has a radical that resembles a person standing firm, symbolizing authority and adherence to rules.
Meanings of 律
Lǜ(Lv4)
primary
1law
2statute, principle, regulation
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About 律
律Simplified
9Strokes
彳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5991Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 律
Podcast: 律
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AI Study Notes for 律
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as lǜ with the third tone can be confused with other similar-sounding words. This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, and pairs well with terms like 法 (fǎ, law) to form phrases like 法律 (fǎlǜ, law).
HSK Study Tips
Although this word is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 4 terms related to law and governance, such as 法 (fǎ) and 规 (guī). Students should focus on its usage in legal contexts and learn common collocations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 律 (lǜ) with similar sounding characters like 绿 (lǜ, green). For example, saying '我喜欢律' (wǒ xǐhuān lǜ) without context may lead to confusion; clarify with a complete phrase like '我喜欢法律' (wǒ xǐhuān fǎlǜ, I like law).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 律
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How Well Do You Know 律?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 律 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.
The character 律 (lǜ) primarily means 'law' or 'regulation' and is often used in legal contexts or to express principles governing behavior. It can also refer to the surname Lü, which is a common family name in China. In usage, it conveys a sense of order and structure, particularly within formal or governmental settings.
When to use 律
Be cautious with the tone, as lǜ with the third tone can be confused with other similar-sounding words. This character is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, and pairs well with terms like 法 (fǎ, law) to form phrases like 法律 (fǎlǜ, law).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 律 (lǜ) with similar sounding characters like 绿 (lǜ, green). For example, saying '我喜欢律' (wǒ xǐhuān lǜ) without context may lead to confusion; clarify with a complete phrase like '我喜欢法律' (wǒ xǐhuān fǎlǜ, I like law).
Write 律
律
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Grammar Patterns of 律
律 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). It carries 3 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.
The Home Secretary is considering a new law against stalking.
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Cultural Notes for 律
💡Did you know?
'律' in Chinese culture signifies not just the law but also the order and principles that govern society, reflecting a deep-rooted philosophy about harmony and balance.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of law in China is often viewed as a means to maintain social harmony, whereas in many Western cultures, law is seen as a tool for individual rights and justice.
Word Family of 律
Words Containing This Character20
法律fǎlǜlaw
律师lǜshīlawyer律師
规律guīlǜrhythm規律
纪律jìlǜdiscipline紀律
律Lǜlaw
一律yīlǜsame
旋律xuánlǜmelody
菲律宾the Philippines菲律賓
定律scientific law (e.g. law of conservation of energy)
底特律Detroit, Michigan
自律self-discipline
主旋律theme or subject (music)
戒律commandment
韵律cadence韻律
规律性regular規律性
千篇一律once you've seen one, you've seen them all
律动rhythm律動
节律rhythm節律
律法laws and decrees
音律tuning
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 律
What does 法律 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 律
Yes, 律 is used in several idioms related to law and order. For example, '遵循律法' (zūnxún lǜfǎ) means 'to abide by the law.' Learning these expressions can help you understand the cultural importance of law in Chinese society.
律 (lǜ) often refers to specific laws or regulations, while 法 (fǎ) is a more general term that encompasses the concept of law as a whole. In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably, but understanding their nuances can enhance your language skills.
律 can be used in various contexts related to law or principles. For example, you could say '法律是社会的律' (Fǎlǜ shì shèhuì de lǜ), which means 'The law is the principle of society.' This shows how the character is connected to legal concepts.
律 (lǜ) means 'law' or 'regulation' in Chinese. It can refer to legal statutes or principles that govern behavior. Additionally, it can also be a surname, commonly written as Lü.
In a legal context, 律 refers to rules, laws, or regulations that govern society.
While 律 is primarily formal, it may occasionally appear in discussions about rules or norms.
Yes, 律 is used as a surname, particularly the surname Lü, which is quite common in China.
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