Chinese Character: 罗
1. Character Basics
Radical: 罒 (wǎng, net radical) or 网 (wǎng, net radical)
Stroke Count: 8
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: luó (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Net, to catch with a net, collect, gather, sieve, sift, a Chinese surname (Luo)
4. Common Words
- 罗马 (Luómǎ) - Rome
- 罗列 (luóliè) - to enumerate, to list
- 罗网 (luówǎng) - net, trap
- 罗盘 (luópán) - compass
- 罗汉 (luóhàn) - arhat (Buddhist saint)
- 罗致 (luózhì) - to gather, to recruit
- 罗衣 (luóyī) - silk clothing
- 罗红霉素 (luóhóngméisù) - roxithromycin (antibiotic)
- 螺丝 (luósī) - screw
- 姓罗 (xìng Luó) - surname Luo
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "罗" has multiple uses in Chinese grammar:
1. As a verb:
- 我们需要把这些资料罗列出来。 (Wǒmen xūyào bǎ zhèxiē zīliào luóliè chūlái.) - We need to list out these materials.
- 蜘蛛在树上罗网。 (Zhīzhū zài shù shàng luówǎng.) - The spider is spinning a web on the tree.
2. As a noun:
- 这个罗盘很精准。 (Zhège luópán hěn jīngzhǔn.) - This compass is very accurate.
- 佛教中有十八罗汉。 (Fójiào zhōng yǒu shíbā luóhàn.) - There are eighteen arhats in Buddhism.
3. As a surname:
- 罗先生是我的老师。 (Luó xiānsheng shì wǒ de lǎoshī.) - Mr. Luo is my teacher.
4. In compounds:
- 螺丝起子 (luósī qǐzi) - screwdriver
- 罗马数字 (Luómǎ shùzì) - Roman numerals
- 罗勒叶 (luólè yè) - basil leaves
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, "罗" has rich meanings. Originally meaning "net" in ancient Chinese, it evolved to represent concepts like gathering and collecting. The surname "罗" (Luo) is one of the most common Chinese surnames, with a long history dating back over 2,000 years. In Buddhism, "罗汉" (arhats) are important figures representing those who have achieved enlightenment. The character also appears in traditional Chinese poetry and literature, often symbolizing entanglement or complexity, similar to how a net catches things. Additionally, "罗马" (Rome) has been an important concept in Chinese cultural exchange with the West for centuries.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 他用罗盘找到了正确的方向。
Pinyin: Tā yòng luópán zhǎodào le zhèngquè de fāngxiàng.
English: He found the correct direction using a compass.
8. Memory Tips
The character "罗" consists of 罒 (wǎng, net radical) on top and 夕 (xī, evening) below. You can remember this character by visualizing a net (罒) set up at evening (夕) to catch animals. The radical 罒 directly relates to the original meaning of "net," while the lower part 夕 helps distinguish it from other characters with the same radical. You can also think of "罗" as a net that collects or gathers things together.