Chinese Character: 萝
1. Character Basics
Radical: 艹 (cǎo, grass radical)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: luó (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Vine, climbing plant, certain vegetables (especially radish types)
4. Common Words
- 萝卜 (luóbo) - radish
- 藤萝 (téngluó) - wisteria
- 菠萝 (bōluó) - pineapple
- 萝莉 (luólì) - loli (young girl character)
- 绿萝 (lǜluó) - pothos (houseplant)
- 萝卜干 (luóbogān) - dried radish
- 胡萝卜 (húluóbo) - carrot
- 水萝卜 (shuǐluóbo) - water radish
- 白萝卜 (báiluóbo) - white radish
- 萝卜汤 (luóbotāng) - radish soup
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "萝" is primarily used as a noun in Chinese grammar:
1. Referring to plants:
- 藤萝在春天开花。 (Téngluó zài chūntiān kāihuā.) - Wisteria blooms in spring.
- 绿萝是一种常见的室内植物。 (Lǜluó shì yīzhǒng chángjiàn de shìnèi zhíwù.) - Pothos is a common indoor plant.
2. Referring to vegetables:
- 我喜欢吃萝卜。 (Wǒ xǐhuan chī luóbo.) - I like to eat radish.
- 胡萝卜富含维生素A。 (Húluóbo fùhán wéishēngsù A.) - Carrots are rich in vitamin A.
3. In compounds:
- 菠萝蜜 (bōluómì) - jackfruit
- 萝卜糕 (luóbogāo) - radish cake (a Chinese dim sum)
- 萝卜缨 (luóboyīng) - radish greens
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, vegetables like "萝卜" (radish) have been an important part of the diet for thousands of years. Radishes are valued for their versatility in cooking and their health benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, radishes are believed to have cooling properties and aid digestion. The character "萝" also appears in literary works, often describing climbing plants that add natural beauty to gardens and landscapes. Additionally, "萝卜" has symbolic meanings in Chinese culture - for example, during the Chinese New Year, eating radish is considered auspicious as it symbolizes good luck and ward off evil spirits.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 冬天喝萝卜汤可以保暖。
Pinyin: Dōngtiān hē luóbotāng kěyǐ bǎonuǎn.
English: Drinking radish soup in winter can keep you warm.
8. Memory Tips
The character "萝" consists of 艹 (cǎo, grass radical) on top and 罗 (luó) below. You can remember this character by associating the grass radical 艹 with plants, and the lower part 罗 with the pronunciation (luó). Together, they represent plants that grow like vines or certain vegetables like radishes. Visualize a vine plant climbing and spreading, or a fresh radish growing in the soil.