牢 Stroke Order — How to Write 牢
牢 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 牛, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
牢 Radical and Character Components
牢 is an ideographic compound. A stable 宀 where cattle are kept 牛.
Radical: 牛 + 3 more strokes
牢 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- láo
Meanings of 牢 in Chinese
1
láo牢
A pen or fold for livestock, or a cage. Often used metaphorically in '亡羊补牢' (to mend the fold after a sheep is lost) meaning to take remedial action after a loss.
出了问题要及时解决，亡羊补牢，为时不晚
When problems arise, it's important to address them promptly; it's never too late to mend the fold after a sheep is lost.
In ancient China, "láo" referred to sacrificial animals. "Tàiláo" (太牢) denoted the highest form of sacrifice, involving an ox, a sheep, and a pig, typically for emperors' and nobles' rituals. "Shàoláo" (少牢) was a lesser sacrifice with a sheep and a pig.
古时，只有最高规格的祭祀才能用太牢，以示敬意
In ancient times, only the most solemn sacrificial rituals could use 'tàiláo' (a complete set of sacrificial animals) to show reverence.
A prison or jail; to be imprisoned.
他因为犯罪被判了坐牢。
He was sentenced to prison for committing a crime.
Refers to being firm, solid, or stable; also to remembering or fixing something firmly.
我把老师的话牢记在心
I will bear the teacher's words firmly in mind.
Common Words and Phrases with 牢
1
unbreakable; indestructible; as firm as a rock
他们之间的友谊牢不可破，经历了无数考验。
Their friendship is unbreakable, having withstood countless tests.
2
Fastness; the quality of a material, especially a dye or color, to resist fading or discoloration.
这种面料的颜色牢度很好，即使经常清洗也不易褪色
The colorfastness of this fabric is excellent; it doesn't fade easily even with frequent washing.
3
4
Firm and durable.
这把椅子结构很牢固，能承受很大的重量。
The structure of this chair is very firm and can bear a lot of weight.
5
to keep firmly in mind
我们应该牢记父母的养育之恩。
We should always remember our parents' kindness in raising us.
6
Firm, durable, secure, and dependable.
他做事情总是很牢靠，从不让人担心。
He is always very dependable in his work, never giving anyone cause for concern.
7
A cage or trap; metaphorically, a confinement or restriction that limits a person's freedom.
现代生活的压力有时像一个无形的牢笼，让人感到束缚。
The pressures of modern life can sometimes feel like an invisible cage, making people feel constrained.
8
a complaint, grievance, or discontent, often expressed verbally.
他整天都在抱怨工作中的小问题，真是个爱发牢骚的人。
He spends all day complaining about minor issues at work; he's truly a grumbler.
9
solid; strong; firm
这个木箱结构很牢实，可以用来装重物。
The structure of this wooden box is very sturdy, so it can be used to hold heavy items.
10
stable, secure, and firm; not easily shaken or moved.
这张桌子做得非常牢稳，怎么摇晃都不会倒
This table is built very firmly and steadily; it won't wobble or fall even if you shake it.
More words with 牢
- bǎ把láo牢Hold firmly, Grasp tightly
- dīng钉láo牢nail down, fasten securely
- jiān坚láo牢Firm and sturdy; fast; solid.
- jiān监láo牢jail, prison
- qiú囚láo牢A prison or jail.
- shào少láo牢Lesser sacrifice, Shao Lao sacrifice (involving a sheep and a pig)
- láo牢láo牢Firmly, Securely
- láo牢yù狱prison, jail
- tài太láo牢Tai Lao, grand sacrifice
- zuò坐láo牢to be in prison, to be jailed
- dà大láo牢prison, jail
- dì地láo牢dungeon, underground cell
- shuān拴láo牢tie securely, fasten firmly
- láo牢mén门prison gate, cell door
- bù不láo牢gù固unstable, loose
- dǎ打láo牢to lay a solid foundation, to strengthen
- láo牢gù固chéng程dù度firmness, strength
- láo牢gù固kě可kào靠firm and reliable, solid and dependable
- láo牢jì记zài在xīn心keep in mind, bear in mind
- láo牢láo牢zhuā抓zhù住grasp firmly, hold tight
Idioms with 牢
- láo牢sāo骚mǎn满fù腹full of complaints
- huà画dì地wéi为láo牢confine oneself to a designated scope
- mǎn满fù腹láo牢sāo骚full of complaints and grievances
- wáng亡yáng羊bǔ补láo牢Mend the pen after losing a sheep
- láo牢bù不kě可bá拔firmly rooted and unshakeable
- láo牢jiǎ甲lì利bīng兵strong armor and sharp weapons
- bǔ补láo牢gù顾quǎn犬take timely remedial action
- dǎ打hǔ虎láo牢lóng龙scheme to outwit a formidable opponent
- gēn根láo牢dì蒂gù固deep-rooted and firmly established
- huá划dì地wéi为láo牢Confine oneself to a limited scope
- huà画dì地chéng成láo牢Confine oneself to a limited scope
- niú牛jì骥gòng共láo牢Talented and inferior people together
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Open the tool →Questions about 牢
What does 牢 mean in Chinese?
牢 (láo) means “A pen or fold for livestock” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 牢?
牢 is pronounced láo in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 牢 have?
牢 has 7 strokes.
How do you write 牢?
牢 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 牛. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 牢?
The radical of 牢 is 牛, and 牢 is an ideographic compound.