Learn a Chinese Character - 略

1. Character Basics

Radical: 田 (tián, field radical)

Stroke Count: 11

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: lüè (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

To omit, to leave out, brief, summary, strategy, roughly

4. Common Words

• 省略 (shěnglüè) - to omit, to leave out
• 略读 (lüèdú) - to skim, to browse
• 略微 (lüèwēi) - slightly, a little
• 战略 (zhànlüè) - strategy, stratagem
• 策略 (cèlüè) - tactics, strategy
• 略图 (lüètú) - sketch, diagram
• 略知一二 (lüè zhī yī èr) - to have a smattering of knowledge
• 简略 (jiǎnlüè) - brief, concise

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "略" has multiple uses in Chinese grammar:

1. As a verb:
- 这个细节可以省略。 (Zhège xìjié kěyǐ shěnglüè.) - This detail can be omitted.
- 请略去不必要的部分。 (Qǐng lüèqù bù bìyào de bùfen.) - Please leave out the unnecessary parts.

2. As an adverb:
- 他略微犹豫了一下。 (Tā lüèwēi yóuyùle yīxià.) - He hesitated slightly.
- 请略微调整音量。 (Qǐng lüèwēi tiáozhěng yīnliàng.) - Please adjust the volume slightly.

3. As a noun:
- 这是我们的营销策略。 (Zhè shì wǒmen de yíngxiāo cèlüè.) - This is our marketing strategy.
- 他制定了详细的作战方略。 (Tā zhìdìngle xiángxì de zuòzhàn fānglüè.) - He formulated a detailed battle plan.

4. In idioms and set phrases:
- 雄才大略 (xióngcái-dàlüè) - great talent and bold vision
- 战略眼光 (zhànlüè yǎnguāng) - strategic vision
- 略胜一筹 (lüè shèng yī chóu) - to be slightly better, to have an edge

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character "略" has significant importance in strategic thinking and planning. Classical Chinese texts, such as "The Art of War" (《孙子兵法》), emphasize the importance of strategy (战略) in military and political affairs. Additionally, the concept of "略" as "brevity" or "conciseness" is valued in Chinese literary traditions, where the ability to convey deep meaning with few words is highly regarded. In modern times, "略" continues to be used extensively in both formal and informal contexts, from academic writing to everyday conversation.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "略" consists of 田 (tián, field) on the top and 各 (gè, each) on the bottom. You can remember this character by associating "田" with a field and "各" with "each" or "different". Together, they can be thought of as "different strategies for the field" or "each having their own approach in the field". Alternatively, visualize making a brief plan (略) for working in a field (田), which connects both the form and meaning of the character.