络 (lào) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

络

lào[lao4]Tone 4

small net

HSK 4

View Traditional FormSwitch to Traditional

絡

Multiple Readings (多音字):

Guru Deep Dive

English · small net

Cached lesson

1 / 1

Topology:Left-right

Strokes:9

Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (纟) must be compressed slightly to the left, leaving ample horizontal breathing room for the complex right component (各). Keep the central vertical axis balanced.

Simplification Logic: The traditional radical 糹 (silk) is simplified into 纟, reducing stroke complexity and keeping the left-side structural footprint compact.

1. Meaning

small net, network, tie

webwrap aroundconnect

Noun / VerbNeutralBound morpheme#objects#technology#abstract concepts

Sample Usage

网络
wǎng luò
network, internet
联络
lián luò
to contact, get in touch

2. Sound

/[lɑʊ̯⁵¹]/Tone: 51

络

làolao4

`(51)

=lào

Initial Consonant

Type: Alveolar Lateral

Sounds like: l sound as in 'lamp'

Unaspirated

Airflow Tactile Test: Air flows freely around both sides of tongue.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge, sides of tongue relaxed to let air flow laterally.

Final Rhyme

Vowel Group: -a vowel group

Sounds like: ao rhymes with 'ow' in 'cow'

Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'ow'.

Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.

Tone

T4 (51)

5 → 1 (51)

4th Tone (High-Falling)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and drops sharply to the bottom, identical to a sharp command like 'No!' or 'Stop!' in English.

Sandhi: When followed by another Tone 4, the tone dip becomes shorter and sharper before dropping.

👂

Listening trap: Often confused with Tone 3 (lǎo) or Tone 1 (lāo) by beginners who fail to apply the abrupt downward cut of Tone 4.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: A sharp, decisive karate chop downwards from head height to chest level, matching Tone 4's sudden falling pitch contour.

3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 9 strokes

Simplification Logic: The traditional radical 糹 (silk) is simplified into 纟, reducing stroke complexity and keeping the left-side structural footprint compact.

4. Components

Radical 纟 · Silk Radical (silk thread, cord, or network)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 纟 (Indicates silk threads, mesh, or connected strings)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 各 (original sound: ge / lao)

Silk threads (纟) are woven in each and every direction (各) to create a web or net.

纟 Silk thread / net component
各 Each / phonetic component

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

27· Phonetic Root: 各 (gè)

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Combined from the silk radical (纟) denoting threads or rope mesh, and (各) providing both phonetic and conceptual hints of individual items caught or organized in a grid.

Semantic Evolution: Originally referred to silk fishing nets or cords; over time, extended to mean any web, network, connection, or structured system.

Ancient texts used it interchangeably with similar cordage and binding terms.
Modern usage heavily heavily features it in computing and telecommunications (e.g., 网络).

6. Sinosphere

🇯🇵

Kanji (Japanese)

On: ラク / Kun: 絡.む, 絡.まる

🇰🇷

Hanja (Korean)

락

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

You use SILK THREADS (纟) to tie EACH (各) of your friends into a giant social media NETWORK.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

格

géstandard, squareReplaces silk radical with tree/wood (木), meaning wooden frame or standard.

路

lùroad, pathReplaces silk radical with foot (足), meaning a pathway where feet travel.

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

路(lù)

路 has the foot radical (足) for walking on a road, whereas 络 has the silk radical (纟) for a network of threads.

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

现代社会离不开互联网[___]。

Clue: wǎng luò

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing the left silk radical (纟) with other narrow radicals like 氵(water) or 亻(person), leading to incorrect character construction.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: What is the meaning and pronunciation of 络 when seen in compounds like 网络?

Production: How do you write the character for 'small net / network' (lào) using the silk radical?

络làosmall net

Speed:

Searching YouTube for native pronunciation videos...

0 / 0