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缕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缕lǚstrand, thread; detailed, preciseHSK 7, q, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
缕lǚin detailHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
缕lǚclassifier for wisps (of smoke, mist or vapor), strands, locks (of hair)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
缕lǚstrand, thread; detailed, preciseHSK 7, q, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
缕lǚin detailHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
缕lǚclassifier for wisps (of smoke, mist or vapor), strands, locks (of hair)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #15983, Hard
lǚ(lü3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1strand, thread; detailed, precise
  2. 2in detail
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
缕(縷)lǚ(lü3)

The character 缕 (lǚ) primarily refers to a strand or thread, often used in contexts involving thin, delicate items like hair or fibers. It can also indicate something that is detailed or precise, often used to describe explanations or descriptions that are thorough and meticulous.

Strokes12Radical纟Frequency#15983DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weaving and threads is deeply symbolic, often associated with the intricate nature of relationships and storytelling, as seen in crafts like silk weaving.

Memory Tip

Imagine a delicate thread being carefully woven into fabric, representing precision and detail. The character 缕 looks like a 'thread' being pulled and twisted, and its pronunciation 'lǚ' sounds like 'loo', which can remind you of 'looping' thread through fabric.

Meanings of 缕

lǚ(lü3)
primary
1strand, thread; detailed, precise
2in detail
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 缕

缕Simplified
縷Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 缕

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Podcast: 缕

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AI Study Notes for 缕

Quick Contrast

丝 (sī) refers specifically to silk or fine threads, while 缕 (lǚ) emphasizes the concept of strands or threads in a more general or delicate sense.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a delicate thread being carefully woven into fabric, representing precision and detail. The character 缕 looks like a 'thread' being pulled and twisted, and its pronunciation 'lǚ' sounds like 'loo', which can remind you of 'looping' thread through fabric.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 缕 with similar characters, so it's important to focus on its specific meaning related to strands or details. It is more commonly used in written Chinese than in spoken contexts, making it more formal. Be mindful of the fourth tone (lǚ) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 缕 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to threads and details that may appear in advanced levels. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in literature and formal writing.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weaving and threads is deeply symbolic, often associated with the intricate nature of relationships and storytelling, as seen in crafts like silk weaving.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 缕 in informal conversation, where simpler words like '条' (tiáo) might be more appropriate. For example, saying '我有很多缕头发' (I have many strands of hair) is overly formal; instead, use '条头发'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 缕

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Etymology of 缕

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

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 娄 represents the sound. Simplified form of 縷.

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)娄
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 缕?

Decomposition of 缕

IDS Structure⿰纟娄
缕Full Character
=
纟si1
left
娄Lou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 缕?

Write 缕

缕

Practice writing 缕 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 缕

缕 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. 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

萨拉抬起手来开始用手指缠绕一____头发。

Sarah lifted her hand and started twirling a strand of hair.

Example Sentences for 缕 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
萨拉抬起手来开始用手指缠绕一缕头发。

sà lā tái qǐ shǒu lái kāi shǐ yòng shǒu zhǐ chán rào yī lǚ tóu fā。

Sarah lifted her hand and started twirling a strand of hair.
2
我注意到走廊尽头的一缕光线。

wǒ zhù yì dào zǒu láng jìn tóu de yī lǚ guāng xiàn。

I noticed a chink of light at the end of the corridor.
3
一缕轻烟在林间袅袅升起。

yī lǚ qīng yān zài lín jiān niǎo niǎo shēng qǐ。

A thin wisp of smoke straggled up through the trees.
4
他开始放入意大利面，小心翼翼地将面一缕缕分开。

tā kāi shǐ fàng rù yì dà lì miàn， ， xiǎo xīn yì yì dì jiāng miàn yī lǚ lǚ fēn。

He began to feed in the spaghetti, carefully separating the strands.
5
她那灰白的头发一缕缕地披散在脸旁。

tā nà huī bái de tóu fā yī lǚ lǚ dì pī sàn zài liǎn páng。

Her grey hair straggled in wisps about her face.
6
她那长长的金发散乱而打缕。

tā nà cháng cháng de jīn fā sàn luàn ér dǎ lǚ。

Her long fair hair was knotted and straggly.
7
她把一缕散发从眼前甩开。

tā bǎ yī lǚ sàn fā cóng yǎn qián shuǎi kāi。

She shrugged a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
8
生锈的炉子里冒出一缕青烟。

shēng xiù de lú zǐ lǐ mào chū yī lǚ qīng yān。

A thin curl of smoke rose from a rusty stove.
9
她竭力想把眼前的一缕白发吹开。

tā jié lì xiǎng bǎ yǎn qián de yī lǚ bái fā chuī kāi。

She tried to blow a gray strand of hair from her eyes.
10
天气又干又冷，他们嘴里哈出缕缕白气。

tiān qì yòu gān yòu lěng， ， tā mén zuǐ lǐ hā chū lǚ lǚ bái。

The weather was dry and cold; wisps of steam puffed from their lips.

Cultural Notes for 缕

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of weaving and threads is deeply symbolic, often associated with the intricate nature of relationships and storytelling, as seen in crafts like silk weaving.

Word Family of 缕

Words Containing This Character6
缕lǚstrand縷
千丝万缕linked in countless ways千絲萬縷
条分缕析to analyze thoroughly, point by point (idiom)條分縷析
不绝如缕hanging by a thread不絕如縷
筚路蓝缕the hardships of beginning an undertaking (idiom)篳路藍縷
缕述to relate in detail縷述
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 缕 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 缕

Not typically; it's more common in written forms and formal contexts.