绺 (liǔ) - A measure word for locks, strands, or tufts & a skein or lock of something long and

绺Tone 3

liǔ ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

绺 · liǔ

A measure word for locks, strands, or tufts of hair, silk, or thread;

a skein or lock of something long and thin.

A measure word for locks, strands, or tuftsa skein or lock of something long and

Usage highlights

A lock of hairA skein of silkStrands of beardA tuft of woolTwisted strandsA wisp of smoke

Synonyms

  • 束— bundle, bunch (as a measure word)
  • 缕— strand, wisp (similar measure word for thin objects)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She cut off a lock of hair (一绺头发).
  • He held a skein of silk thread (一绺丝线).
  • A few strands of beard (几绺胡须) were visible.
  • The rope had several twisted strands (几绺绳索).

Collocations

  • A lock of hair(一绺头发)
  • A skein of silk(一绺丝线)
  • Strands of beard(几绺胡须)
  • A tuft of wool(一绺羊毛)
  • Twisted strands(几绺细丝)
  • A wisp of smoke(一绺烟)

Idioms

  • Three locks of hair (三绺胡须) — a style of beard
  • A lock of black hair(一绺青丝)
  • Cutting a lock as a keepsake(剪绺留念)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used as a measure word for hair, thread, and similar thin, long objects in classical and modern Chinese.
  • In traditional descriptions, '三绺胡须' refers to a specific style of beard worn by scholars or gentlemen in historical times.
  • The character contains the silk radical (纟), indicating its original association with threads and textiles.

FAQ