HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6006, Very Hard
捞
lāo
to dredge up
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6006, Very Hard
捞
lāo
to dredge up; to fish for; to scoop out of the water
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 扌, rank #6006, Very Hard
lāo(lao1) T1
1to fish up
2to dredge up
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March 24, 2026
捞(撈)lāo(lao1)
The verb 捞 (lāo) primarily means 'to fish up' or 'to scoop out of the water.' It is often used in contexts involving retrieving something from a body of water, such as catching fish or dredging up materials. The term can also imply seeking out or dredging up information or memories, making it versatile in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes10Radical扌Frequency#6006DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, fishing is not only a popular pastime but also a symbol of patience and tranquility. The act of 捞 can evoke traditional fishing methods, reflecting the connection between nature and daily life in various regions, particularly in southern China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fisherman named Lao who always seems to scoop up the biggest fish. The character 捞 has the radical for water (氵), indicating its connection to actions involving water, while the phonetic component 'Lao' sounds like 'Lao' in Lao Tzu, who also 'fishes' for wisdom.
Meanings of 捞
lāo(lao1)
1to fish up
2to dredge up
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 捞
捞Simplified
撈Traditional
10Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6006Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 捞
Podcast: 捞
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AI Study Notes for 捞
Quick Contrast
捞 (lāo) vs 抓 (zhuā): use 捞 when referring to retrieving from water, while 抓 is for catching or seizing something.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 捞 with similar verbs like 捕 (bǔ, to catch) or 拿 (ná, to take), which are used in different contexts. It's typically informal, so in formal settings, other verbs may be preferred. Pay attention to the tone: using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 HSK word, 捞 connects to other vocabulary related to fishing and retrieval, such as 捕 (bǔ) and 抽 (chōu). Students should focus on using it in sentences that depict both physical actions and metaphorical uses, enhancing their versatility in conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often incorrectly use 捞 in formal contexts, where verbs like 捕 or 提取 (tíqǔ, to extract) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我捞了这个文件' (I fished for this document) is incorrect; instead, use '我提取了这个文件'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 捞
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 劳 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撈.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half劳 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 捞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 捞?
Decomposition of 捞
IDS Structure⿰扌劳
捞Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
劳lao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 捞?
How to say to fish up in Chinese
“to fish up” in Chinese is捞lāo
The verb 捞 (lāo) primarily means 'to fish up' or 'to scoop out of the water.' It is often used in contexts involving retrieving something from a body of water, such as catching fish or dredging up materials. The term can also imply seeking out or dredging up information or memories, making it versatile in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
When to use 捞
Learners often confuse 捞 with similar verbs like 捕 (bǔ, to catch) or 拿 (ná, to take), which are used in different contexts. It's typically informal, so in formal settings, other verbs may be preferred. Pay attention to the tone: using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
捞 or something close to it
捞 (lāo) vs 抓 (zhuā): use 捞 when referring to retrieving from water, while 抓 is for catching or seizing something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often incorrectly use 捞 in formal contexts, where verbs like 捕 or 提取 (tíqǔ, to extract) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我捞了这个文件' (I fished for this document) is incorrect; instead, use '我提取了这个文件'.
Write 捞
捞
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Practice writing 捞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 捞
捞 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
轻松____取利润的可能性吸引了一拨不良商人。
The prospect of easy profits has attracted the wrong kind of businessman.
Example Sentences for 捞 (7)
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1
轻松捞取利润的可能性吸引了一拨不良商人。
qīng sōng lāo qǔ lì rùn de kě néng xìng xī yǐn le yī bō bù liáng shāng rén。
The prospect of easy profits has attracted the wrong kind of businessman.
