COMPONENTS & ETYMOLOGY
How 牢 is built
Traditional etymology note: A stable 宀 where cattle are kept 牛
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How to Write 牢 (láo) — Chinese Character Stroke Order, Meaning & Practice Sheet
firm
láoTone 2 (Rising)Pitch goes up like asking ‘What?’
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STROKE BY STROKE
Static stroke diagrams
Follow all 7 strokes in the correct order.
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StrokeSheetCharacter Writing Worksheet
láo
牢
firm
Common words
láo gù
牢固
firm; secure
láo jì
牢记
to keep in mind; to remember
láo láo
牢牢
firmly; safely
láo sāo
牢骚
discontent; complaint; to complain
wáng yáng bǔ láo
亡羊补牢
lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost (idiom); fig. to act belatedly; better late than never; to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
láo
牢
firm; sturdy; fold (for animals); sacrifice
Follow the stroke order, then write it on your own.
牢
牢
牢
牢
牢
牢
牢
牢
LEARNING TIP
Remember 牢
Say “láo” aloud as you replay the animation. Then hide the model and write the 7 strokes from memory. Short, repeated practice builds a stronger visual and motor connection.
Practice on CanvasWORDS WITH 牢
Common words and phrases
láo gù
firm; secure
láo jì
to keep in mind; to remember
láo láo
firmly; safely
láo sāo
discontent; complaint; to complain
wáng yáng bǔ láo
lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost (idiom); fig. to act belatedly; better late than never; to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
láo
firm; sturdy; fold (for animals); sacrifice
Frequently asked questions
How many strokes are in 牢?
牢 is written with 7 strokes.
What does 牢 (láo) mean?
牢 (láo) means firm.
What is the radical of 牢?
The radical of 牢 is 牛, associated with Not yet classified.