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漏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
漏lòuto leakHSK 5, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3344, Hard
漏lòuto divulgeHSK 5, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3344, Hard
漏lòuto leave out by mistakeHSK 5, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3344, Hard
漏lòuwaterclock or hourglass (old)HSK 5, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3344, Hard
漏lòuto leak, to drip; hour glass; funnelHSK 5, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #3344, Hard
lòu(lou4) T4
  1. 1to leak
  2. 2to divulge
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
漏lòu(lou4)

The character 漏 (lòu) means 'to leak' or 'to drip', and it can also refer to inadvertently leaving something out or divulging information. Common contexts include discussions about physical leaks, such as water or gas, as well as figurative leaks, like secrets or information.

Strokes14Radical氵Frequency#3344DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese water clocks (漏壶), the concept of leaking water was used to measure time, showcasing the importance of precision in ancient Chinese timekeeping.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bucket with a hole, where water is leaking out. The character 漏 has the radical for water (氵) on the left, reminding you of liquid, and the right part (夭) can be imagined as a 'yawning' hole. Together, they create the image of something leaking out.

Meanings of 漏

lòu(lou4)
1to leak
2to divulge
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 漏

漏Simplified
14Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3344Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 漏

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Podcast: 漏

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AI Study Notes for 漏

Quick Contrast

漏 (lòu, leak) vs 洩 (xiè, leak/escape) — use 漏 for unintentional leaks, while 洩 often implies a more deliberate escape or release.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bucket with a hole, where water is leaking out. The character 漏 has the radical for water (氵) on the left, reminding you of liquid, and the right part (夭) can be imagined as a 'yawning' hole. Together, they create the image of something leaking out.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 漏 with similar-sounding words like 露 (lù), which means 'to expose' or 'dew'. This word is generally neutral in tone, but in formal contexts, it might be better to use more specific terms when discussing leaks in a technical sense.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 漏 connects with other verbs related to actions and occurrences. Focus on its various meanings in different contexts, particularly how it can be used both literally and figuratively.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese water clocks (漏壶), the concept of leaking water was used to measure time, showcasing the importance of precision in ancient Chinese timekeeping.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 漏 with 露 (lù), leading to incorrect phrases like 漏露 (lòu lù) instead of 漏 (lòu) for 'leak'. Always double-check the context to ensure you're using the right term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 漏

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Etymology of 漏

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Water 氵 falling like raindrops 雨; 屚 provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 漏?

Decomposition of 漏

IDS Structure⿰氵屚
漏Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
屚lou4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 漏?

Write 漏

漏

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 漏

漏 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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

即使平放，这个真空水杯也是滴水不____。

The flask is completely watertight, even when laid on its side.

Common Confusions with 漏

漏vs露
lù

Similar pronunciation but different meaning; both involve revealing.

漏vs流
liú

Similar sound, but 流 refers to flowing rather than leaking.

漏 and 露 can both imply something being revealed or exposed, but 漏 specifically refers to leaking or leaving out information.

1

他漏了一个重要的细节。 (He left out an important detail.)

漏 and 露 can both imply something being revealed or exposed, but 漏 specifically refers to leaking or leaving out information.

💡Think of 漏 as 'leak', while 露 means 'to expose' or 'to reveal'.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to leak"?

or

Usage Notes for 漏

Misusing 漏Common Error

Learners often confuse 漏 with other verbs like 露 and 流. Remember that 漏 specifically refers to leaking or omitting.

1

他漏掉了一个问题。

He left out a question.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____掉了一个问题。

He left out a question.

Example Sentences for 漏 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
即使平放，这个真空水杯也是滴水不漏。

jí shǐ píng fàng， ， zhè gè zhēn kōng shuǐ bēi yě shì dī shuǐ bù。

The flask is completely watertight, even when laid on its side.
2
球一下子漏了，使得霍洛韦跑垒成功。

qiú yī xià zǐ lòu le， ， shǐ dé huò luò wéi pǎo lěi chéng。

The ball was bobbled momentarily, allowing Holloway to race home.
3
这两个共谋者的表情泄漏了秘密。

zhè liǎng gè gòng móu zhě de biǎo qíng xiè lòu le mì mì。

The faces of the two conspirators gave the game away.
4
又有两个经理因偷税漏税指控被传唤到沃辛治安法庭。

yòu yǒu liǎng gè jīng lǐ yīn tōu shuì lòu shuì zhǐ kòng bèi chuán huàn dào wò xīn zhì ān fǎ tíng。

Two other executives appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court charged with tax fraud.
5
如果船板接缝漏水就一定要填补好.

rú guǒ chuán bǎn jiē féng lòu shuǐ jiù yī dìng yào tián bǔ hǎo.

The seams of the boat must be filled in if they leak.
6
一旦发现有泄漏，警报就会响起来。

yī dàn fā xiàn yǒu xiè lòu， ， jǐng bào jiù huì xiǎng qǐ。

Any escape, once it's detected, sets off the alarm.
7
这次原油泄漏可能会使波斯湾的海龟灭绝。

zhè cì yuán yóu xiè lòu kě néng huì shǐ bō sī wān de hǎi guī miè jué。

The spill could wipe out the Gulf's turtle population.
8
他可能一时大意说漏了嘴。

tā kě néng yī shí dà yì shuō lòu le zuǐ。

He might have let something slip in a moment of weakness.
9
大火当时有可能把货船上的油罐烧漏了，从而引燃原油。

dà huǒ dāng shí yǒu kě néng bǎ huò chuán shàng de yóu guàn shāo lòu le， ， cóng ér yǐn rán yuán。

Fire may have breached the cargo tanks and set the oil ablaze.
10
她捧起疏松的泥土，任其缓缓地从指间漏下。

tā pěng qǐ shū sōng de ní tǔ， ， rèn qí huǎn huǎn dì cóng zhǐ jiān lòu。

She gathered loose soil and let it filter slowly through her fingers.

Cultural Notes for 漏

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese water clocks (漏壶), the concept of leaking water was used to measure time, showcasing the importance of precision in ancient Chinese timekeeping.

Word Family of 漏

Words Containing This Character20
漏lòuto leak
漏洞lòudòngleak
泄漏xièlòuto leak
遗漏to overlook遺漏
漏掉to miss
漏水to leak (of water)
走漏zǒulòuto divulge
渗漏seepage滲漏
漏斗funnel
漏气to leak air or gas漏氣
漏税tax evasion漏稅
纰漏slip-up紕漏
疏漏to slip
透漏to divulge
漏洞百出lit. one hundred loopholes (idiom); full of mistakes (of speech or article)
沙漏hourglass
漏电to leak electricity漏電
漏油oil spill
滴水不漏watertight
偷漏to evade (taxes)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 漏 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 漏

Common collocations include 漏水 (lòu shuǐ) for 'water leak' and 漏气 (lòu qì) for 'gas leak'.