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March 24, 2026
唠叨(嘮叨)láodao(lao2dao5)
唠叨 refers to the act of talking excessively, often about trivial matters, in a way that can be perceived as annoying or tiresome. It is commonly used to describe someone who nags or repeatedly brings up the same topic, typically in a caring context, such as a parent or spouse reminding someone of responsibilities.
Frequency#5921DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family members often express their care through nagging, particularly parents towards their children, reflecting a deep-rooted value of concern for one's well-being. This cultural context can make the term more endearing in some situations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grandmother (老, lao) who loves to chat (叨, dao) about her past, repeating stories over and over. Picture her saying, 'Back in my day...' as she prattles on and on, making it hard for you to get a word in. This imagery connects the sounds to the meaning—老 (old) is often associated with older people who like to talk.
Meanings of 唠叨
láodao(lao2dao5)
1to prattle
2to chatter away
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About 唠叨
唠叨Simplified
嘮叨Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5921Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 唠叨
Podcast: 唠叨
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AI Study Notes for 唠叨
Quick Contrast
唠叨 (láodao) vs 叨叨 (dāodao): use 唠叨 for excessive talking with a nagging nuance, while 叨叨 is more neutral and can imply simply talking a lot without the negative connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grandmother (老, lao) who loves to chat (叨, dao) about her past, repeating stories over and over. Picture her saying, 'Back in my day...' as she prattles on and on, making it hard for you to get a word in. This imagery connects the sounds to the meaning—老 (old) is often associated with older people who like to talk.
Usage Notes
This word has a somewhat informal tone and is often used in everyday conversation. Be cautious not to use it in overly formal contexts, as it can be seen as disrespectful if referring to someone in authority. Common collocations include '唠叨的父母' (nagging parents) or '唠叨不停' (talking incessantly).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 唠叨 relates to themes of communication and relationships, which are also present in other advanced vocabulary. Students should focus on context and tone when using this word, as it can convey both endearment and annoyance depending on the situation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family members often express their care through nagging, particularly parents towards their children, reflecting a deep-rooted value of concern for one's well-being. This cultural context can make the term more endearing in some situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 唠叨 with '聊天' (liáotiān, to chat), which is more neutral and does not imply annoyance. For example, saying '我喜欢唠叨' (I like to chat) may sound negative; instead, use '我喜欢聊天'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 唠叨
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Grammar Patterns of 唠叨
唠叨 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
The more Sarah nagged her, the more stubborn Cissie became.
Cultural Notes for 唠叨
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, family members often express their care through nagging, particularly parents towards their children, reflecting a deep-rooted value of concern for one's well-being. This cultural context can make the term more endearing in some situations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, nagging is often viewed negatively and can be associated with conflict, whereas in Chinese culture, it can be seen as a sign of care and responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions about 唠叨
Not necessarily; while it often has a negative connotation, it can also imply a caring nature depending on the context.
Yes, you can use it self-deprecatingly to express that you're aware of your tendency to talk a lot.
Yes, synonyms include '絮叨' (xù dāo) and '喋喋不休' (dié dié bù xiū), both conveying a similar meaning of excessive talking.
