HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #9621, Hard
liǔ(Liu3) T3
1willow tree; pleasure; surname
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March 24, 2026
柳liǔ(Liu3)
The character 柳 (liǔ) primarily means 'willow tree' and is often associated with grace and flexibility due to the tree's drooping branches. It can also refer to the surname Liu, which is quite common in China. Additionally, 柳 conveys a sense of pleasure, often used in poetic contexts.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#9621DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The willow tree has deep cultural significance in China, often symbolizing resilience and adaptability. It is commonly found in traditional Chinese poetry and art, representing beauty and transience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a graceful willow tree swaying in the breeze—its branches are light and flexible, just like the sound of 'liǔ.' The character 柳 can be visualized as a tree (木) with flowing branches, emphasizing its connection to nature and flexibility.
Meanings of 柳
liǔ(Liu3)
1willow tree; pleasure; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 柳
柳Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 柳
Podcast: 柳
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AI Study Notes for 柳
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a graceful willow tree swaying in the breeze—its branches are light and flexible, just like the sound of 'liǔ.' The character 柳 can be visualized as a tree (木) with flowing branches, emphasizing its connection to nature and flexibility.
Usage Notes
柳 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature and poetry. Be careful not to confuse it with other characters that sound similar; for example, '流' (liú) means 'to flow.' Collocations include '柳树' (willow tree) and '柳叶' (willow leaves).
HSK Study Tips
柳 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects well with other nature-related words like '花' (flower) and '树' (tree). Students should focus on pronunciation and recognizing its use in literary contexts.
Cultural Note
The willow tree has deep cultural significance in China, often symbolizing resilience and adaptability. It is commonly found in traditional Chinese poetry and art, representing beauty and transience.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 柳 (liǔ) with similar-sounding characters like 流 (liú). For instance, saying '柳水' instead of '流水' when referring to flowing water is incorrect; the correct term is '流水'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 柳
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Grammar Patterns of 柳
柳 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 5
Complete the Sentence
最近一期的《____叶刀》杂志中强调了这一日益严重的问题。
The growing problem is underlined in the latest issue of the Lancet.
The willowtrees, outside the high, narrow windows, waved in the wind.
10
那一丛秃头的柳树,因不断遭受砍伐都失去了天然的形状.
nà yī cóng tū tóu de liǔ shù, , yīn bù duàn zāo shòu kǎn fá dū shī qù le tiān rán de xíng.
The pollard willows were tortured out of their natural shape by incessant choppings.
Cultural Notes for 柳
🏮Cultural insight
The willow tree has deep cultural significance in China, often symbolizing resilience and adaptability. It is commonly found in traditional Chinese poetry and art, representing beauty and transience.
Word Family of 柳
Words Containing This Character13
柳liǔwillow
柳树liǔshùwillow柳樹
柳州Liuzhou prefecture-level city in Guangxi
柳暗花明light at the end of the tunnel
杨柳willow tree楊柳
柳条willow柳條
柳州市Liuzhou prefecture-level city in Guangxi
柳林Liulin county in Lüliang 呂梁|吕梁[Lǚliáng], Shanxi 山西
柳眉long, shapely eyebrows
垂柳weeping willow (Salix babylonica)
柳宗元Liu Zongyuan (773-819), Tang essayist and poet, advocate of the classical writing 古文運動|古文运动 and neoclassical 復古|复古 movements
柳永Liu Yong (987-1053), Song poet
柳江Liujiang county in Liuzhou 柳州[Liǔzhōu], Guangxi
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 柳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 柳
It is pronounced as 'liǔ' with a falling-rising tone.
Yes, it appears in idioms related to nature and beauty, such as '柳暗花明' which means 'after the dark comes the light'.
Aside from 'willow tree,' it can also refer to the surname Liu, and it conveys a sense of pleasure in some contexts.
