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March 24, 2026
炉(爐)lú(lu2)
The character 炉 (lú) refers to a stove or furnace, commonly used for cooking or heating. It implies a place where heat is generated for various purposes, such as preparing food or melting materials. In modern contexts, it can also refer to an oven or fireplace.
Strokes8Radical火Frequency#10795DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese homes, the 炉 (lú) was central not only for cooking but also for heating the living space, especially in colder regions. The concept of family gathering around the stove for warmth and meals reflects the importance of community in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Think of 炉 (lú) as a 'lu' (sound) that heats up your food. The radical 火 (fire) in it symbolizes the heat generated, while the character looks like a box with a fire inside, emphasizing its function as a heat source.
Meanings of 炉
lú(lu2)
1stove
2furnace
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 炉
炉Simplified
爐Traditional
8Strokes
火Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#10795Frequency Rank
Podcast: 炉
Podcast: 炉
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AI Study Notes for 炉
Quick Contrast
灶 (zào) refers specifically to a cooking stove, emphasizing the cooking function, while 炉 (lú) can refer to stoves or furnaces more broadly, including heating purposes.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 炉 (lú) as a 'lu' (sound) that heats up your food. The radical 火 (fire) in it symbolizes the heat generated, while the character looks like a box with a fire inside, emphasizing its function as a heat source.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 炉 is often used in formal contexts related to cooking or industrial applications. Common collocations include 炉灶 (lú zào, cooking stove) and 火炉 (huǒ lú, fireplace). Ensure the correct tone is used, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 炉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to essential vocabulary related to cooking and household items. Focus on distinguishing it from similar characters like 火 (huǒ, fire) and 学 (xué, study) as you expand your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese homes, the 炉 (lú) was central not only for cooking but also for heating the living space, especially in colder regions. The concept of family gathering around the stove for warmth and meals reflects the importance of community in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 炉 with similar characters like 灶 (zào, stove) and 火 (huǒ, fire). For example, saying '我有火' (wǒ yǒu huǒ, I have fire) instead of '我有炉' (wǒ yǒu lú, I have a stove) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 炉
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Grammar Patterns of 炉
炉 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我老是要把他从壁____边拉开。
I was forever dragging him away from the fireplace.
Example Sentences for 炉 (10)
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1
我老是要把他从壁炉边拉开。
wǒ lǎo shì yào bǎ tā cóng bì lú biān lā kāi。
I was forever dragging him away from the fireplace.
The room was empty apart from one man seated beside the fire.
10
他正和艾伯特在书房的炉火旁下国际跳棋。
tā zhèng hé ài bó tè zài shū fáng de lú huǒ páng xià guó jì tiào qí。
He was in the study playing draughts by the fire with Albert.
Cultural Notes for 炉
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese homes, the 炉 (lú) was central not only for cooking but also for heating the living space, especially in colder regions. The concept of family gathering around the stove for warmth and meals reflects the importance of community in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 炉
Words Containing This Character20
炉lústove爐
微波炉wēibōlúmicrowave oven微波爐
出炉fresh out of the oven出爐
炉子lúzistove爐子
壁炉fireplace壁爐
锅炉boiler鍋爐
火炉stove火爐
烤炉oven (PRC)烤爐
高炉blast furnace高爐
炉火the fire of a stove爐火
熔炉forge熔爐
电炉hot plate電爐
香炉thurible香爐
暖炉space heater暖爐
炉灶lúzàostove爐灶
炉火纯青fig. (of an art, a technique etc) brought to the point of perfection爐火純青
另起炉灶back to square one另起爐灶
转炉converter (rotary furnace in steelmaking)轉爐
焦炉coking furnace焦爐
回炉to melt down回爐
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 炉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 炉
Both characters represent the same concept of a stove or furnace, but 爐 is the traditional form, while 炉 is the simplified version commonly used today.
Yes, 炉 can refer to any type of stove or furnace, whether for cooking food or for heating purposes.
Yes, while traditional stoves may still use 炉, modern kitchens often include gas or electric ovens, which are also referred to with this term.
