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侶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
侶lǚcompanion; associate withzg, 9 strokes, radical 亻
lǚ(lv3) T3
  1. 1companion; associate with
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March 24, 2026

侶lǚ(lv3)

The character 侶 (lǚ) refers to a companion or partner, often used to denote someone with whom one shares a close relationship, such as a spouse or friend. It is commonly used in contexts related to companionship or partnership, emphasizing the bond between individuals. This term can also imply mutual support and shared experiences.

Strokes9Radical亻
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of companionship is highly valued, often reflected in literature and poetry. The idea of a lifelong partner is celebrated during traditional festivals like the Qixi Festival, which symbolizes love and unity.

Memory Tip

Imagine two friends standing side by side, representing companionship. The left side of the character, 人 (rén), represents a person, while the right side, 呂 (lǚ), is like two people together in a harmonious conversation. Visualize them as a duo, both sharing laughter and stories, reinforcing the meaning of companionship.

Meanings of 侶

lǚ(lv3)
1companion; associate with
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 侶

侶Simplified
9Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 侶

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Podcast: 侶

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AI Study Notes for 侶

Quick Contrast

伴 (bàn) — use 侶 (lǚ) when emphasizing the bond in a close relationship, while 伴 (bàn) is broader and can refer to any partner or companion.

Usage Notes

When using 侶, be mindful of its somewhat formal connotation, which may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 伴侶 (bànlǚ, partner) and 情侶 (qínglǚ, lovers). Beginners might confuse it with similar-sounding words, so pay attention to tones and context.

HSK Study Tips

Although 侶 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) and 爱 (ài, love), as they all relate to relationships. Focus on understanding how 侶 fits into the broader context of interpersonal connections in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 侶 with the more casual term 朋友 (péngyǒu), which means friend. For example, saying '我和我的侶去吃饭' (wǒ hé wǒ de lǚ qù chīfàn) is incorrect if referring to a friend; it should be '我和我的朋友去吃饭'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 侶

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Etymology of 侶

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

person

Semantic (meaning)亻
+
Phonetic (sound)呂
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

侶 = 亻 + 呂. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 侶

IDS Structure⿰亻呂
侶Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
呂lü3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 侶?

How to say companion; associate with in Chinese

“companion; associate with” in Chinese is侶lǚ

The character 侶 (lǚ) refers to a companion or partner, often used to denote someone with whom one shares a close relationship, such as a spouse or friend. It is commonly used in contexts related to companionship or partnership, emphasizing the bond between individuals. This term can also imply mutual support and shared experiences.

When to use 侶

When using 侶, be mindful of its somewhat formal connotation, which may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 伴侶 (bànlǚ, partner) and 情侶 (qínglǚ, lovers). Beginners might confuse it with similar-sounding words, so pay attention to tones and context.

侶 or something close to it

伴 (bàn) — use 侶 (lǚ) when emphasizing the bond in a close relationship, while 伴 (bàn) is broader and can refer to any partner or companion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 侶 with the more casual term 朋友 (péngyǒu), which means friend. For example, saying '我和我的侶去吃饭' (wǒ hé wǒ de lǚ qù chīfàn) is incorrect if referring to a friend; it should be '我和我的朋友去吃饭'.

Write 侶

侶

Practice writing 侶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 侶

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While the concept of companionship exists in both cultures, Western cultures often emphasize individualism in relationships, whereas Chinese culture tends to focus on collective harmony and partnership.

Word Family of 侶

Words Containing This Character5
情侣qínglǚlovers情侶
伴侣bànlǚmate伴侶
侣lǚcompanion侶
僧侣monk僧侶
爱侣lovers愛侶
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 侶

What does 情侣 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 侶

侶 means companion or partner, indicating a close relationship between individuals.

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