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搂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
搂lōuto draw towards oneselfHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto gatherHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto gather up (one's gown, sleeves etc)HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto grab (money)HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto extortHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto hugHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto embraceHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto hold in one's armsHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lōuto embrace, to hug; to drag, to pullHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto draw towards oneselfHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto gatherHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto gather up (one's gown, sleeves etc)HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto grab (money)HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto extortHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto hugHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto embraceHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto hold in one's armsHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
搂lǒuto embrace, to hug; to drag, to pullHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9299, Very Hard
lǒu(lou3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1to draw towards oneself
  2. 2to gather
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

搂(摟)lǒu(lou3)

The character 搂 (lōu) generally means to draw something towards oneself, often in a physical sense such as hugging or embracing. It can also imply gathering or pulling together items, like clothing, or in a more abstract sense, to extort or grab money. Its usage can range from tender moments of affection to more aggressive actions like extortion.

Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#9299DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, physical expressions of affection, such as hugging, are often more reserved compared to Western norms. However, in family settings, the act of 搂 is a common way to express care and closeness, reflecting strong familial bonds.

Memory Tip

Imagine wrapping your arms around a loved one while saying 'lōu'—the character looks like two arms (the radical 扌) reaching out to embrace. Picture a warm hug that gathers both people into one, emphasizing the closeness and intimacy of the action.

Meanings of 搂

lǒu(lou3)
primary
1to draw towards oneself
2to gather
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 搂

搂Simplified
摟Traditional
12Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9299Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 搂

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Podcast: 搂

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AI Study Notes for 搂

Quick Contrast

抱 (bào) — use 搂 (lǒu) for a more intimate or casual embrace, while 抱 (bào) can imply a more formal or protective hold.

Usage Notes

When using 搂, be careful not to confuse it with similar verbs like 抱 (bào), which means to hold or embrace but with a slightly different connotation. This verb is more informal, so it’s best used in casual contexts. Watch out for tone mistakes; the first tone is crucial for correct pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 搂 connects with other verbs expressing physical actions or emotions. Students should focus on the nuances of its meanings and practice using it in various contexts, particularly when discussing relationships or social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 搂 with 抱 or 拿 (ná), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我会搂我的朋友' (I will lōu my friend) is incorrect; it should be '我会抱我的朋友' (I will bào my friend) when referring to hugging.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 搂

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Etymology of 搂

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 娄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 摟.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)娄
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 搂

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 娄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 摟.

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half娄 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 搂? 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 搂?

Decomposition of 搂

IDS Structure⿰扌娄
搂Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
娄Lou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 搂?

How to say to draw towards oneself in Chinese

“to draw towards oneself” in Chinese is搂lōu

The character 搂 (lōu) generally means to draw something towards oneself, often in a physical sense such as hugging or embracing. It can also imply gathering or pulling together items, like clothing, or in a more abstract sense, to extort or grab money. Its usage can range from tender moments of affection to more aggressive actions like extortion.

When to use 搂

When using 搂, be careful not to confuse it with similar verbs like 抱 (bào), which means to hold or embrace but with a slightly different connotation. This verb is more informal, so it’s best used in casual contexts. Watch out for tone mistakes; the first tone is crucial for correct pronunciation.

搂 or something close to it

抱 (bào) — use 搂 (lǒu) for a more intimate or casual embrace, while 抱 (bào) can imply a more formal or protective hold.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 搂 with 抱 or 拿 (ná), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我会搂我的朋友' (I will lōu my friend) is incorrect; it should be '我会抱我的朋友' (I will bào my friend) when referring to hugging.

Write 搂

搂

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

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Grammar Patterns of 搂

搂 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 9 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

她突然张开手臂____住我的脖子，然后吻了我一下。

She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me.

Example Sentences for 搂 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她突然张开手臂搂住我的脖子，然后吻了我一下。

tā tū rán zhāng kāi shǒu bì lǒu zhù wǒ de bó zǐ， ， rán hòu wěn le wǒ yī。

She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me.
2
他胖乎乎的双臂搂住文森特的脖子。

tā pàng hū hū de shuāng bì lǒu zhù wén sēn tè de bó zǐ。

He had twined his chubby arms around Vincent's neck.
3
他们过去经常在人前搂抱亲吻。

tā mén guò qù jīng cháng zài rén qián lǒu bào qīn wěn。

They used to kiss and cuddle in front of everyone.
4
他们聊天时会在阳台上抖搂浴巾。

tā mén liáo tiān shí huì zài yáng tái shàng dǒu lǒu yù jīn。

They would flap bath towels from their balconies as they chatted.
5
当迈拉告诉卡普她会把他的过去全抖搂出去时，卡普大为光火。

dāng mài lā gào sù kǎ pǔ tā huì bǎ tā de guò qù quán dǒu lǒu chū qù shí， ， kǎ pǔ dà wéi guāng。

When Myra told Karp she'd expose his past, he blew up.
6
他们在车里又坐了10分钟，边说边搂着亲热。

tā mén zài chē lǐ yòu zuò le10 10 fēn， zhōng ， biān shuō biān lǒu zháo。

They sat talking and necking in the car for another ten minutes.
7
他双臂紧搂着我的脖子不放。

tā shuāng bì jǐn lǒu zháo wǒ de bó zǐ bù fàng。

He hangs on tightly, his arms around my neck.
8
她用嘴轻轻蹭蹭我，我搂住了她。

tā yòng zuǐ qīng qīng cèng cèng wǒ， ， wǒ lǒu zhù le。

She nuzzled me and I cuddled her.
9
他用粗胖的胳膊搂住哈丽的肩膀。

tā yòng cū pàng de gē bó lǒu zhù hā lì de jiān bǎng。

He put a pudgy arm around Harry's shoulder.
10
胡胡涂涂的扒搂了两碗饭, 他觉得非常的无聊.

hú hú tú tú de bā lǒu le liǎng wǎn fàn, , tā jué dé fēi cháng de wú.

He swallowed two bowls of rice unthinkingly, feeling quite fed up.

Cultural Notes for 搂

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, hugging is often a common greeting or farewell gesture, while in China, it may be reserved for closer relationships and family, highlighting a more formal approach to physical affection.

Word Family of 搂

Words Containing This Character3
搂lǒuto hug摟
搂抱to hug摟抱
抖搂to shake out抖摟
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 搂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 搂

While both 搂 (lōu) and 抱 (bào) involve holding another person, 搂 emphasizes a drawing motion towards oneself and often implies a gentle embrace, whereas 抱 can be more general and sometimes used for carrying.

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