Common Meanings
1
lǒu搂
to embrace; to hug; to hold in one's arms
妈妈轻轻地把孩子搂在怀里
Mom gently held the child in her arms.
A measure word, indicating a circumference that can be encircled by one's arms; an armful.
这棵老树的树干足有两搂粗，非常壮观。
The trunk of this old tree is easily two arm-spans thick, truly magnificent.
2
lōu搂
To gather, rake, or collect (things) with hands or a tool.
秋天到了，孩子们在院子里搂树叶玩
Autumn has arrived, and the children are playing by raking leaves in the yard.
To rake in or amass money, often implying a greedy or illicit manner.
他总是想方设法搂钱。
He always tries every means to rake in money.
To pull or draw something towards oneself, specifically to actuate a mechanism such as pulling a trigger.
他迅速地搂火，击中了目标
He quickly pulled the trigger and hit the target.
To gather up with the hand; to pull up (e.g., sleeves, trousers).
他搂起袖子，准备开始工作。
He rolled up his sleeves, ready to start working.
To calculate or reckon accounts; to check and balance figures.
我们得把今天的销售额搂一搂。
We need to tally up today's sales figures.