Chinese Character: 腊
1. Character Basics
Radical: 月 (yuè, moon/meat radical)
Stroke Count: 12
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: là (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
The 12th lunar month; preserved meat; cured meat; sacrifice in the 12th lunar month
4. Common Words
- 腊月 (làyuè) - The 12th lunar month
- 腊肉 (làròu) - Preserved/cured meat
- 腊八节 (làbājié) - Laba Festival (8th day of 12th lunar month)
- 腊八粥 (làbāzhōu) - Laba congee
- 腊梅 (làméi) - Wintersweet (flower)
- 腊味 (làwèi) - Cured meat products
- 腊祭 (làjì) - Sacrifice ceremony in the 12th lunar month
- 寒冬腊月 (hándōnglàyuè) - Severe winter
5. Grammar & Usage
"腊" is primarily used as a noun, often referring to the 12th lunar month or cured meats. It is commonly found in compound words related to traditional Chinese culture and food preservation.
Pattern 1: 腊 + [Month/Time Word] - 12th lunar + [Month/Time Word] (e.g., 腊月, 腊八)
Pattern 2: 腊 + [Food Word] - Cured/Preserved + [Food Word] (e.g., 腊肉, 腊味)
6. Cultural Background
The character "腊" has deep cultural roots in Chinese tradition. It originally referred to sacrificial ceremonies held in the 12th lunar month to honor ancestors and gods. Over time, it became associated with the month itself (腊月). The Laba Festival (腊八节) on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month is an important traditional festival where people eat Laba congee (腊八粥). Curing meat in the 12th lunar month (制作腊肉) is also a traditional practice for winter food preservation.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 腊八节的时候，我们通常会喝腊八粥。
Pinyin: Làbājié de shíhou, wǒmen tōngcháng huì hē làbāzhōu.
English: During the Laba Festival, we usually drink Laba congee.
8. Memory Tips
The character "腊" consists of the radical "月" (yuè, moon/meat) on the left and "昔" (xī, past) on the right. Remember that in the past (昔), people used to preserve meat (月) in the 12th lunar month for winter. Or think of it as: in ancient times, sacrificial ceremonies (related to the 12th lunar month) were held in the past (昔).