HSK 2, a, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2978, Medium
绿
lǜ
green; chlorine
HSK 2, a, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2978, Medium
绿
lǜ
green
HSK 2, a, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2978, Medium
绿
lǜ
green; chlorine
HSK 2, a, 11 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2978, Medium
lǜ(lü4)
primary
T4
1green
2green; chlorine
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March 24, 2026
绿(綠)lǜ(lü4)
The character 绿 (lǜ) means 'green' and is commonly used to describe the color of nature, such as plants and trees. It can also refer to concepts associated with growth, freshness, and vitality, and is frequently used in phrases related to environmental topics.
Strokes11Radical纟Frequency#2978DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the color green is often associated with health and harmony, and it plays a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine, where green foods are considered beneficial for well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lush green landscape where the grass is so vibrant it looks like a 'lute' (sounds like 'lǜ') playing a joyful tune. The character 绿 has the radical for 'color' (色) on the right, indicating it is a color, while the left part gives a hint of the character's pronunciation.
Meanings of 绿
lǜ(lü4)
primary
1green
2green; chlorine
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绿
绿Simplified
綠Traditional
11Strokes
纟Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2978Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 绿
Podcast: 绿
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AI Study Notes for 绿
Quick Contrast
蓝 (lán, blue) — use 绿 for colors associated with nature and growth, while 蓝 refers to the color of the sky and water.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lush green landscape where the grass is so vibrant it looks like a 'lute' (sounds like 'lǜ') playing a joyful tune. The character 绿 has the radical for 'color' (色) on the right, indicating it is a color, while the left part gives a hint of the character's pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 绿, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other characters. It is often used in phrases like '绿色食品' (green food), and learners should practice using it in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 绿 connects with other color words such as 红 (red) and 蓝 (blue). Students should focus on using it in descriptive contexts and familiarizing themselves with common collocations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the color green is often associated with health and harmony, and it plays a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine, where green foods are considered beneficial for well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绿 with the character for 'lǜ' (律), which means 'law' due to similar pronunciation. Always remember that 绿 is about color, while 律 relates to legal matters.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绿
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Grammar Patterns of 绿
绿 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
I was wearing two sweaters under the green army jacket.
10
房间仍然很简朴，四面都是饰有圆点的绿色空墙。
fáng jiān réng rán hěn jiǎn pǔ， ， sì miàn dū shì shì yǒu yuán diǎn de lǜ sè kōng。
The room remains simple with bare, stippled green walls.
Cultural Notes for 绿
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, green is often associated with nature, tranquility, and renewal. It is a symbol of life and growth, playing a significant role in traditional art and fashion.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the color green is often associated with health and harmony, and it plays a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine, where green foods are considered beneficial for well-being.
Word Family of 绿
Words Containing This Character20
绿色lǜsègreen綠色
绿lǜgreen綠
绿化lǜhuàto reforest綠化
绿灯lǜdēnggreen light綠燈
绿地lǜdìgreen area (e.g. urban park or garden)綠地
绿茶lǜchágreen tea綠茶
绿卡permanent residency permit (originally referred specifically to the US green card)綠卡
绿豆mung bean綠豆
绿洲oasis綠洲
绿叶(fig.) actor playing a supporting role綠葉
红绿灯traffic light紅綠燈
绿帽子cuckold綠帽子
翠绿cuìlǜgreenish-blue翠綠
碧绿bìlǜdark green碧綠
绿林also pr. [Lǜlín]綠林
绿树trees綠樹
灯红酒绿debauched and corrupt environment燈紅酒綠
墨绿dark green墨綠
绿肥green manure綠肥
花花绿绿gaudy花花綠綠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 绿色 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绿
Yes, 绿 is used in idioms such as '绿意盎然' (lǜ yì àng rán), which describes a lush and green environment. This idiom conveys a sense of vitality and freshness in nature.
Common phrases that include 绿 are '绿茶' (lǜ chá) meaning 'green tea' and '绿灯' (lǜ dēng) meaning 'green light.' These phrases show the versatility of the word in everyday language.
绿 (lǜ) means 'green' in Chinese. It is often used to describe colors in nature, like grass and leaves. Additionally, it can refer to concepts associated with nature and environmentalism.
You can use 绿 in sentences to describe objects or concepts that are green. For example, '这棵树是绿的' (zhè kē shù shì lǜ de) means 'This tree is green.' It's important to pair it with the correct measure word when describing specific items.
You can say '这件衣服是绿色的' (This piece of clothing is green).
Yes, besides referring to the color green, it can also relate to concepts of freshness and vitality.
Yes, for example, '绿灯' (green light) signifies permission or go-ahead.
