Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
柳liǔ(Liu3)
The character 柳 (liǔ) primarily means 'willow tree' and is often associated with grace and flexibility due to the tree's drooping branches. It can also refer to the surname Liu, which is quite common in China. Additionally, 柳 conveys a sense of pleasure, often used in poetic contexts.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#9621DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
The willow tree has deep cultural significance in China, often symbolizing resilience and adaptability. It is commonly found in traditional Chinese poetry and art, representing beauty and transience.
Memory tip
Imagine a graceful willow tree swaying in the breeze—its branches are light and flexible, just like the sound of 'liǔ.' The character 柳 can be visualized as a tree (木) with flowing branches, emphasizing its connection to nature and flexibility.
Meanings of 柳
liǔ(Liu3)
1willow tree; pleasure; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 柳 means.
About 柳
柳Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 柳
Podcast: 柳
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 柳
Usage Notes
柳 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature and poetry. Be careful not to confuse it with other characters that sound similar; for example, '流' (liú) means 'to flow.' Collocations include '柳树' (willow tree) and '柳叶' (willow leaves).
HSK Study Tips
柳 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects well with other nature-related words like '花' (flower) and '树' (tree). Students should focus on pronunciation and recognizing its use in literary contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 柳 (liǔ) with similar-sounding characters like 流 (liú). For instance, saying '柳水' instead of '流水' when referring to flowing water is incorrect; the correct term is '流水'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 柳
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 柳, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 柳 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 柳?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 柳 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.
柳 = 木 + 卯. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 柳
IDS Structure⿰木卯
柳Full character
=
木Mu4
left
卯mao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 柳?
How to say willow tree; pleasure; surname in Chinese
“willow tree; pleasure; surname” in Chinese is柳liǔ
The character 柳 (liǔ) primarily means 'willow tree' and is often associated with grace and flexibility due to the tree's drooping branches. It can also refer to the surname Liu, which is quite common in China. Additionally, 柳 conveys a sense of pleasure, often used in poetic contexts.
When to use 柳
柳 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature and poetry. Be careful not to confuse it with other characters that sound similar; for example, '流' (liú) means 'to flow.' Collocations include '柳树' (willow tree) and '柳叶' (willow leaves).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 柳 (liǔ) with similar-sounding characters like 流 (liú). For instance, saying '柳水' instead of '流水' when referring to flowing water is incorrect; the correct term is '流水'.
Write 柳
柳
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 柳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 柳
柳 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 2 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
最近一期的《____叶刀》杂志中强调了这一日益严重的问题。
The growing problem is underlined in the latest issue of the Lancet.
Example sentences for 柳 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
最近一期的《柳叶刀》杂志中强调了这一日益严重的问题。
zuìjìn yī qī de《 liǔ xié dāo》 zázhì zhōng qiángdiào le zhè yī rìyì yánzhòng de wèntí。
The growing problem is underlined in the latest issue of the Lancet.
2
他们来到了全世界最有名的寻花问柳之地。
tāmen láidào le quánshìjiè zuì yǒumíng de xún huā wèn liǔ zhī dì。
They had come to the world's most famous pick-up joint.
