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March 24, 2026
牢骚(牢騷)láosāo(lao2sao1)
牢骚 (láo sāo) refers to feelings of discontent or complaints about a situation, often expressed verbally. It is commonly used in informal contexts where individuals vent their grievances, typically when talking about personal dissatisfaction with work, relationships, or social conditions.
Frequency#15361DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing 牢骚 can be seen as a way to bond with others, as sharing complaints is often a common social activity. This reflects a communal aspect of addressing frustrations rather than keeping them bottled up.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person, feeling trapped in a '牢' (prison), constantly letting out '骚' (noisy complaints) about their situation. The image of someone behind bars grumbling creates a strong connection between the character's components and its meaning.
Meanings of 牢骚
láosāo(lao2sao1)
1discontent
2complaint
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 牢骚
牢骚Simplified
牢騷Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#15361Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 牢骚
Podcast: 牢骚
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AI Study Notes for 牢骚
Quick Contrast
抱怨 (bàoyuàn) - use 牢骚 for informal, venting expressions of discontent, while 抱怨 is more formal and can imply a complaint to authority.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person, feeling trapped in a '牢' (prison), constantly letting out '骚' (noisy complaints) about their situation. The image of someone behind bars grumbling creates a strong connection between the character's components and its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when using 牢骚, as it can imply a negative or whiny attitude, which may not be suitable in formal contexts. Common collocations include 牢骚满腹 (full of complaints) and 发牢骚 (to complain). Avoid using it in serious discussions as it may undermine the gravity of the topic.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 牢骚 is important for expressing nuanced feelings. Focus on its usage in everyday conversations and practice forming sentences that convey dissatisfaction. Connect it with other HSK 6 words related to emotions and opinions to enhance your expressive capacity.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing 牢骚 can be seen as a way to bond with others, as sharing complaints is often a common social activity. This reflects a communal aspect of addressing frustrations rather than keeping them bottled up.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牢骚 with 抱怨 (bào yuàn), thinking they are interchangeable, when 牢骚 implies a more persistent or nagging complaint. Correct usage: '他总是发牢骚' (He always complains) rather than '他总是抱怨'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牢骚
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Grammar Patterns of 牢骚
牢骚 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 3 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
这被认为是一种限制妇女发____的方式。
This was seen as a way of restricting women'sarticulation of grievances.
Example Sentences for 牢骚 (8)
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1
这被认为是一种限制妇女发牢骚的方式。
zhè bèi rèn wéi shì yī zhǒng xiàn zhì fù nǚ fā láo sāo de fāng shì。
This was seen as a way of restricting women'sarticulation of grievances.
dāng nǐ de hái zǐ yīn bù néng zuò mǒu xiē shì qíng ér fā láo sāo de shí hòu, , nǐ yīng gāi bào zháo yī kē lǐ jiě de xīn qù qīng.
Listen sympathetically to your child's moans and groans about what she can't do.
8
有什么牢骚就渲泄出来,不要憋在肚子里.
yǒu shí mó láo sāo jiù xuàn xiè chū lái, , bù yào biē zài dù zǐ.
Let off some steam. Get in out of your system.
Cultural Notes for 牢骚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing 牢骚 can be seen as a way to bond with others, as sharing complaints is often a common social activity. This reflects a communal aspect of addressing frustrations rather than keeping them bottled up.
Frequently Asked Questions about 牢骚
Yes, 牢骚 typically conveys dissatisfaction or complaints, implying a negative sentiment.
No, it's best reserved for informal settings; use more formal expressions of discontent in official communications.
You can use words like 不满 (bù mǎn) for discontent or 抱怨 (bào yuàn) for complain.
