Chinese Character: 落
1. Character Basics
Radical: 艹 (cǎo, grass radical)
Stroke Count: 12
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: luò (fourth tone, most common), là (fourth tone), lào (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
To fall, to drop, to descend, to settle, to land, to be located at
4. Common Words
- 落叶 (luòyè) - fallen leaves
- 落下 (luòxià) - to fall down
- 降落 (jiàngluò) - to land, to descend
- 落后 (luòhòu) - to fall behind, backward
- 角落 (jiǎoluò) - corner
- 着落 (zhuóluò) - whereabouts, settlement
- 落泪 (luòlèi) - to shed tears
- 飘落 (piāoluò) - to float down, to drift down
- 落选 (luòxuǎn) - to lose an election, to fail to be selected
- 落脚 (luòjiǎo) - to stay temporarily, to put up
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "落" is primarily used as a verb in Chinese grammar, but can also function as a noun or adjective depending on context:
1. As a verb meaning "to fall" or "to drop":
- 树叶落在地上。(Shùyè luò zài dìshàng.) - Leaves fall to the ground.
- 雨落在屋顶上。(Yǔ luò zài wūdǐng shàng.) - Rain falls on the roof.
2. As a verb meaning "to be located at" or "to settle":
- 我们的学校坐落在山脚下。(Wǒmen de xuéxiào zuòluò zài shānjiǎo xià.) - Our school is located at the foot of the mountain.
- 他终于在这个城市落了脚。(Tā zhōngyú zài zhège chéngshì luòle jiǎo.) - He finally settled down in this city.
3. In idiomatic expressions:
- 落井下石 (luòjǐngxiàshí) - to hit a person when he's down
- 落花流水 (luòhuāliúshuǐ) - in a state of utter defeat
- 落地生根 (luòdìshēnggēn) - to take root after arriving at a new place
4. Note on pronunciation variations:
- 落 (luò): standard pronunciation for most meanings
- 落 (là): used in expressions like "落下" (làxia, to leave behind)
- 落 (lào): used in some dialects and specific expressions like "落枕" (làozhěn, stiff neck)
6. Cultural Background
The character "落" has rich cultural connotations in Chinese culture. It is often associated with the seasons, especially autumn, when leaves fall. In classical Chinese poetry, falling flowers, leaves, or snow are frequently used as metaphors for the passage of time, transience, or melancholy. For example, the phrase "落花有意，流水无情" (luòhuā yǒuyì, liúshuǐ wúqíng) compares unrequited love to falling flowers and flowing water. Additionally, in Chinese philosophy, the concept of things falling into place (着落) reflects the idea of finding one's proper place in the world.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 秋天到了，树叶纷纷落下。
Pinyin: Qiūtiān dào le, shùyè fēnfēn luòxià.
English: Autumn has arrived, and leaves are falling one after another.
8. Memory Tips
The character "落" consists of 艹 (cǎo, grass radical) on the top and 洛 (luò) at the bottom. You can remember this character by associating the grass radical 艹 with plants or leaves falling, and the bottom part 洛 with the pronunciation (luò). Imagine leaves falling from grass or trees. The character's shape also resembles something descending from above to below.