牢 (láo) - firm, secure & prison, jail
牢 · láo
firm, secure;
prison, jail;
pen, fold;
sacrificial animal
firm, secureprison, jailpen, fold
Usage highlights
firm, secureprison, jailremember firmlysolid, sturdyprison doorprison guard
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The prisoner was put in jail (牢房).
- This is a very firm knot (牢固的结).
- We need to remember this lesson firmly (牢记教训).
- The sheep are kept in the pen (羊牢).
Collocations
- firm, secure(牢固)
- prison, jail(牢房)
- remember firmly(牢记)
- solid, sturdy(牢靠)
- prison door(牢门)
- prison guard(牢头)
Idioms
- As firm as a rock(牢不可破)
- To bear firmly in mind(牢牢记取)
- To be imprisoned(坐牢)
- To escape from prison(越牢)
- To break out of jail(破牢而出)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally referred to animal pens or enclosures for sacrificial animals in ancient rituals.
- Extended meaning to prisons as places of confinement, similar to animal pens.
- In modern usage, often denotes firmness, security, and reliability.