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March 24, 2026
僚liáo(Liao2)
The character 僚 (liáo) refers to a companion or colleague, often in the context of officials or bureaucracy. It can also denote a pretty face or be used as a surname. This word is commonly used in formal settings, particularly when discussing relationships in a work or official environment.
Strokes14Radical亻Frequency#38515DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese government, officials often worked closely together, forming a network of relationships known as 'liáo', which reflects the importance of cooperation in the bureaucratic system.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of officials (the 'colleagues') standing together, each with a pretty face. The left part of 僚 resembles a person, while the right side (尞) can be imagined as the flowing robes of an official, making it easier to remember the meaning of 'official companions'.
Meanings of 僚
liáo(Liao2)
1companion, colleague; officials; bureaucracy; a pretty face
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 僚
僚Simplified
14Strokes
亻Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 僚
Podcast: 僚
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AI Study Notes for 僚
Quick Contrast
同僚 (tóngliáo, colleague) — 僚 (liáo) is more formal and often used in bureaucratic contexts, while 同僚 (tóngliáo) is a more general term for colleagues.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a group of officials (the 'colleagues') standing together, each with a pretty face. The left part of 僚 resembles a person, while the right side (尞) can be imagined as the flowing robes of an official, making it easier to remember the meaning of 'official companions'.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 僚 is more formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 僚友 (liáo yǒu) meaning 'colleague' or 'friend'. A common mistake is using it in informal contexts where 朋友 (péng yǒu) would be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
Though 僚 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other words related to work and relationships, especially at HSK level 5 and above. Students should focus on using 僚 in proper formal contexts to enhance their business Chinese vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese government, officials often worked closely together, forming a network of relationships known as 'liáo', which reflects the importance of cooperation in the bureaucratic system.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 僚 with 朋友, thinking they can use them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我和我的僚一起去吃饭' (I am going to eat with my colleague) in a casual setting may sound awkward; it's better to use 朋友 in such cases.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 僚
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Grammar Patterns of 僚
僚 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
一群骨干右翼参议员曾企图左右自己的同____。
A hard-core group of right-wing senators had hoped to sway their colleagues.
Example Sentences for 僚 (4)
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1
一群骨干右翼参议员曾企图左右自己的同僚。
yī qún gǔ gān yòu yì cān yì yuán zēng qǐ tú zuǒ yòu zì jǐ de tóng liáo。
A hard-core group of right-wing senators had hoped to sway their colleagues.
2
她的国会同僚是否同意，现在还无从知晓。
tā de guó huì tóng liáo shì fǒu tóng yì， ， xiàn zài huán wú cóng zhī。
It remains to be seen whether her parliamentary colleagues will agree.
3
这些官僚拖拉了太久。
zhè xiē guān liáo tuō lā le tài jiǔ。
The bureaucrats dallied too long.
4
监狱官冷淡又客气，表现出十足的官僚作风。
jiān yù guān lěng dàn yòu kè qì， ， biǎo xiàn chū shí zú de guān liáo zuò。
The prison official is icily polite and bureaucratic.
Cultural Notes for 僚
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese government, officials often worked closely together, forming a network of relationships known as 'liáo', which reflects the importance of cooperation in the bureaucratic system.
Word Family of 僚
Words Containing This Character7
官僚guānliáobureaucrat
官僚主义guānliáozhǔyìbureaucracy官僚主義
同僚colleague
幕僚aids and advisors of top officials
僚liáobureaucrat
阁僚cabinet member閣僚
臣僚court official (in former times)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 官僚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 僚
僚 (liáo) refers specifically to colleagues or companions in a formal context, while 朋友 (péng yǒu) simply means 'friend' and is used in informal situations.
No, 僚 is more suitable for formal contexts, such as discussing work relationships or official matters.
It is not as commonly used in everyday speech but appears in formal writings and contexts related to bureaucracy.
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