Definitions

ráo (adjective) abundant; plentiful
ráo (verb) to spare; to forgive
ráo (particle) despite; although

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The simplified character comes from the traditional form , which is a phono-semantic compound. The left side, the food radical , indicates the semantic domain of eating, provisions, and nourishment, while the right side, , supplies the sound. Originally, it expressed the idea of abundance or surplus, especially in food and material resources. Over time, this material sense developed into a more abstract notion of leniency, giving rise to meanings such as to forgive, pardon, or show mercy. The word further evolved to mean yielding an advantage or giving a handicap in games.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这片土地非常富

Zhè piàn tǔdì fēichāng fùráo.

This land is very fertile.

我们国家的物产富多样。

Wǒmen guójiā de wùchǎn fùráo duōyàng.

Our country has abundant and diverse natural products.

你别在这儿跟我瞎舌了。

Nǐ bié zài zhèr gēn wǒ xiā ráoshé le.

Stop blabbering nonsense with me here.

他终于低头向对方求

Tā zhōngyú dītóu xiàng duìfāng qiúráo.

He finally lowered his head and begged the other party for mercy.

如果你认错,我就了你。

Rúguǒ nǐ rèncuò, wǒ jiù ráo le nǐ.

If you admit your mistake, I will forgive you.

他恳请神明恕他的罪过。

Tā kěnqǐng shénmíng ráoshù tā de zuìguò.

He begged the deities to forgive his sins.

这座城市有历史沧桑感。

Zhè zuò chéngshì ráo yǒu lìshǐ cāngsāng gǎn.

This city is full of a sense of historical vicissitudes.

有兴味地观察世界是种能力。

Ráo yǒu xìngwèi de guānchá shìjiè shì zhǒng nénglì.

Observing the world with great interest is a kind of ability.