露 meaning and stroke order
To show; to reveal; to betray
How to write 露, stroke by stroke
21 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 露
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to show
- to reveal
- to betray
- to expose
- dew
- syrup
- nectar
- outdoors (not under cover)
- to show
- to reveal
How 露 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Rain.
雨 gives the meaning and 路 hints at the sound.
Radical: 雨 (rain), shared by 42 characters on this site.
How to remember 露
露 is rain 雨 (yǔ) sitting on top of road 路 (lù). Picture tiny drops of water lying on the road at dawn, left out in the open for everyone to see: that is dew, and things that are exposed.
In formal words and most compounds, 露 is read lù, as in 暴露 (bàolù), 揭露 (jiēlù) and 露天 (lùtiān). In casual spoken phrases about something showing or slipping out, it is often read lòu, as in 露面 (lòumiàn). Example: 他很少在公共场合露面。(Tā hěn shǎo zài gōnggòng chǎnghé lòumiàn.) He rarely shows his face in public.
Common mistake: Learners often pick the wrong reading. Use lù for dew and for written compounds like 暴露 (bàolù), and save lòu for colloquial phrases like 露面 (lòumiàn) and 露馅儿 (lòuxiànr). Also, do not confuse the bottom part 路 (lù, road) with 络 (luò) or 洛 (luò) when writing it.
Common words with 露
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 暴露 | bàolù | to expose; to reveal | HSK 6 |
| 透露 | tòulù | to leak out; to divulge | HSK 6 |
| 泄露 | xièlòu | to leak (information); to divulge; also pr. [xie4lu4] | HSK 7-9 |
| 露面 | lòumiàn | to show one's face; to appear (in public) | HSK 7-9 |
| 揭露 | jiēlù | to expose; to unmask | HSK 7-9 |
| 露天 | lùtiān | outdoors; al fresco | HSK 7-9 |
| 裸露 | luǒlù | naked; bare; uncovered; exposed | HSK 7-9 |
| 披露 | pīlù | to reveal; to publish | HSK 7-9 |
| 流露 | liúlù | to reveal (indirectly, implicitly); to show (interest, contempt etc) by means of one's act | HSK 7-9 |
| 沐浴露 | mùyùlù | shower gel | HSK 7-9 |
| 风餐露宿 | fēngcān-lùsù | lit. to eat in the open air and sleep outdoors (idiom); fig. to rough it | HSK 7-9 |
| 露出 | lùchū | to expose; to show | |
| 露营 | lùyíng | to camp out; camping | |
| 露水 | lùshuǐ | dew; fig. short-lasting |
露 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 露
How many strokes are in 露?
露 is written with 21 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 露 mean?
露 (lòu) means to show; to reveal; to betray. A common word with it is 暴露 (bàolù), meaning "to expose; to reveal".
How do you pronounce 露?
露 has more than one reading: lòu and lù. The most common is lòu, said in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 露?
The radical of 露 is 雨, which carries the idea of "rain". Dictionaries list 露 under this radical.
Is 露 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 露 is part of the HSK 6 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 泄露 pronounced xièlòu or xièlù?
Both are heard. The dictionary lists xièlòu and also notes xièlù as an accepted pronunciation, so either one will be understood.
Why does 露 also mean syrup or nectar?
From the idea of dew, 露 (lù) came to name sweet or distilled liquids. You see this in product names, such as 玫瑰露 (méiguīlù), a rose-flavored liquor or syrup.