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March 24, 2026
锁(鎖)suǒ(suo3)
The character 锁 (suǒ) means 'to lock' or 'lock' and is commonly used in contexts related to securing objects or spaces. It can refer to both physical locks, like those on doors, and metaphorical uses, such as locking away feelings or secrets. This character also appears in compound words, emphasizing the act of securing or restricting access.
Strokes12Radical钅Frequency#1072DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of locking is often associated with security and privacy, reflecting the value placed on personal space and belongings. During festivals, such as the Spring Festival, it is common for people to lock up their homes securely while they are away visiting relatives.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant key that has the shape of the character 锁. The left side resembles a door, and the right side looks like a chain. Think of locking that door with the key, and remember 'suǒ' sounds like 'saw' which can visualize cutting chains to unlock things.
Meanings of 锁
suǒ(suo3)
1to lock up
2to lock
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 锁
锁Simplified
鎖Traditional
12Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1072Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 锁
Podcast: 锁
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AI Study Notes for 锁
Quick Contrast
锁 (suǒ) vs 钥匙 (yàoshi): 锁 refers to the mechanism that secures, while 钥匙 is the tool used to unlock it.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant key that has the shape of the character 锁. The left side resembles a door, and the right side looks like a chain. Think of locking that door with the key, and remember 'suǒ' sounds like 'saw' which can visualize cutting chains to unlock things.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 锁 in the correct context; it is primarily used in physical contexts, while metaphorical uses are less common. A common mistake is to confuse it with the similar-sounding character 销 (xiāo), which means 'to sell off' or 'to eliminate'. Use 锁 in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid overusing it in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 锁 connects to other vocabulary related to security and safety. Students should focus on its usage in compound words and practice sentences that involve locking or securing items, as these are practical in daily situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of locking is often associated with security and privacy, reflecting the value placed on personal space and belongings. During festivals, such as the Spring Festival, it is common for people to lock up their homes securely while they are away visiting relatives.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 锁 with similar characters like 销. For example, saying '我销门' instead of '我锁门' (Wǒ suǒmén) is incorrect; the correct phrase means 'I lock the door'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 锁
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Grammar Patterns of 锁
锁 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 6 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.
That key will come in handy if you lock yourself out.
10
沃尔夫冈走向过道尽头锁着的那扇门。
wò ěr fū gāng zǒu xiàng guò dào jìn tóu suǒ zháo de nà shàn mén。
Wolfgang moved along the corridor towards the locked door at the end.
Cultural Notes for 锁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of locking is often associated with security and privacy, reflecting the value placed on personal space and belongings. During festivals, such as the Spring Festival, it is common for people to lock up their homes securely while they are away visiting relatives.
Word Family of 锁
Words Containing This Character20
锁suǒlock鎖
封锁fēngsuǒto blockade封鎖
锁定suǒdìngto lock (a door)鎖定
连锁liánsuǒto interlock連鎖
门锁door lock門鎖
连锁店liánsuǒdiànchain store連鎖店
锁骨collarbone鎖骨
锁门to lock the door鎖門
枷锁in fetters枷鎖
锁链chains鎖鏈
连锁反应chain reaction連鎖反應
反锁locked in (with the door locked from the outside)反鎖
锁上to lock鎖上
闭锁to lock閉鎖
解锁to unlock解鎖
锁匠locksmith鎖匠
拉锁lāsuǒzipper拉鎖
封锁线blockade line封鎖線
锁孔keyhole鎖孔
锁匙(dialect) key鎖匙
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 锁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 锁
锁 (suǒ) generally refers to a lock or the action of locking, while 锁住 (suǒ zhù) means to lock something in place or to secure it firmly. The latter implies a more permanent state of being locked.
锁 is pronounced as 'suǒ' in Mandarin. The 's' is pronounced like the 's' in 'see', and the 'uo' sounds like 'wo' in 'worst', with a rising tone.
锁 (suǒ) means 'lock' in Chinese. It can refer to both the physical object used to secure something and the action of locking something up. This character is often used in various contexts related to security and closure.
You can use 锁 (suǒ) in a sentence like '我把门锁上了' (Wǒ bǎ mén suǒ shàng le), which means 'I locked the door.' It is commonly used to describe the action of locking something.
You can use 锁 in sentences like '我锁上了门' (Wǒ suǒ shàng lemén) meaning 'I locked the door.'
锁 (suǒ) means 'to lock', while 销 (xiāo) means 'to eliminate' or 'to sell off'. They sound similar but have different meanings.
