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流浪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
流浪liúlàngto drift aboutHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlàngto wanderHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlàngto roamHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlàngnomadicHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlànghomelessHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlàngunsettled (e.g. population)HSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
流浪liúlàngvagrantHSK 7, n, rank #5847, Hard
liúlàng(liu2lang4) T2
  1. 1to drift about
  2. 2to wander
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March 24, 2026
流浪liúlàng(liu2lang4)

The term '流浪' (liú làng) refers to the act of wandering or roaming without a fixed home. It often describes people who are homeless or vagrant, indicating a sense of instability and lack of direction in their lives. In a broader context, it can also refer to the nomadic lifestyle of certain cultures or groups.

Frequency#5847DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, '流浪' is often associated with social issues such as poverty and migration, reflecting the struggles of many individuals in urban areas. The concept is highlighted in various films and literature that explore themes of displacement and the search for belonging.

Memory Tip

Imagine a river (流, liú) flowing aimlessly, carrying along a wandering traveler (浪, làng) who has no destination. The flowing river symbolizes the lack of stability, and the traveler represents the idea of drifting and roaming.

Meanings of 流浪

liúlàng(liu2lang4)
1to drift about
2to wander
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 流浪

流浪Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5847Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 流浪

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Podcast: 流浪

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AI Study Notes for 流浪

Quick Contrast

流浪 (liúlàng) vs 漂泊 (piāobó) — use 流浪 for a sense of homelessness, while 漂泊 emphasizes a drifting or transient lifestyle without a fixed location.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a river (流, liú) flowing aimlessly, carrying along a wandering traveler (浪, làng) who has no destination. The flowing river symbolizes the lack of stability, and the traveler represents the idea of drifting and roaming.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '流浪' with '漂泊' (piāobó), which also means to wander but carries a connotation of drifting without a purpose. This term is generally used in informal contexts when discussing homelessness or transient lifestyles.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, '流浪' is connected to themes of movement and lifestyle, making it useful when discussing social issues or personal experiences. Focus on practicing its use in sentences that describe situations of homelessness or nomadic living.

Cultural Note

In China, '流浪' is often associated with social issues such as poverty and migration, reflecting the struggles of many individuals in urban areas. The concept is highlighted in various films and literature that explore themes of displacement and the search for belonging.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '流浪' in formal contexts where it's inappropriate. For example, saying '流浪的学生' (liú làng de xué shēng) to describe a student without a fixed address is incorrect; instead, use '无家可归的学生' (wú jiā kě guī de xué shēng) for a more appropriate description.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 流浪

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Component Characters

liúto flow
HSK 410 strokes
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làngwave
HSK 710 strokes
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Write 流浪

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

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Grammar Patterns of 流浪

流浪 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 7 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

这是条曾被收养的____狗。

The dog was a stray which had been adopted.

Example Sentences for 流浪 (6)

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1
这是条曾被收养的流浪狗。

zhè shì tiáo zēng bèi shōu yǎng de liú làng gǒu。

The dog was a stray which had been adopted.
2
他和流浪街头的孩子交上了朋友。

tā hé liú làng jiē tóu de hái zǐ jiāo shàng le péng yǒu。

He has made friends with the kids on the street.
3
流浪汉从深口袋里掏出了一截蜡烛。

liú làng hàn cóng shēn kǒu dài lǐ tāo chū le yī jié là zhú。

The tramp produced a stump of candle from his deep pockets.
4
你就不能穿得更体面一些吗——别人还以为你是个流浪汉呢。

nǐ jiù bù néng chuān dé gēng tǐ miàn yī xiē ma—— —— bié rén huán yǐ wéi nǐ shì gè liú làng hàn。

And can't you dress more decently—people will think you're a tramp.
5
在苏格兰足球联赛中,亚伯丁队比排在首位的流浪者队落后9分。

zài sū gé lán zú qiú lián sài zhōng, , yà bó dīng duì bǐ pái zài shǒu wèi de liú làng zhě duì luò9 hòu。

Aberdeen are nine points adrift of Rangers at the top of the Scottish League.
6
流浪汉辱骂那位赶他走开的人.

liú làng hàn rǔ mà nà wèi gǎn tā zǒu kāi de rén.

The tramp reviled the man who drove him off.

Cultural Notes for 流浪

🏮Cultural insight

In China, '流浪' is often associated with social issues such as poverty and migration, reflecting the struggles of many individuals in urban areas. The concept is highlighted in various films and literature that explore themes of displacement and the search for belonging.

Frequently Asked Questions about 流浪

No, '流浪' can also describe animals, such as stray dogs or cats that wander without a home.