Definitions

(noun) short name for Shandong province; ancient state of China
(adjective) stupid; rude

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a fish () inside the mouth (). Based on the original meaning "tasty". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character "鲁" derives from an early pictographic representation involving a fish, structured with the semantic component "鱼" placed above a element now commonly rendered as "日", though this lower part historically may have represented a different form. Its original meaning conveyed a positive quality of goodness or propriety, likely in the context of ritual offerings. Over centuries, the term acquired negative connotations of stupidity or rashness, possibly through phonetic borrowing or semantic drift. Subsequently, it became the designation for the ancient state of Lu in the Shandong region, which led to its primary modern function as a geographical reference for that area. Current usage maintains this territorial association while also applying the character in adjectives implying roughness or simplicity, showcasing a layered semantic history.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很莽地冲了过去。

Tā hěn lǔmǎng de chōng le guòqù.

He rushed over very recklessly.

我哥哥是山东能队的球迷。

Wǒ gēge shì Shāndōng Lǔ Néng duì de qiúmí.

My older brother is a fan of the Shandong Luneng football team.

这家餐厅的菜做得很地道。

Zhè jiā cāntīng de lǔcài zuò de hěn dìdao.

The Shandong cuisine at this restaurant is very authentic.

请不要用粗的语言说话。

Qǐng bùyào yòng cūlǔ de yǔyán shuōhuà.

Please don't use rude language when speaking.

他的性格有些愚,但很善良。

Tā de xìnggé yǒuxiē yúlǔ, dàn hěn shànliáng.

His temperament is somewhat simple and dull, but he is very kind.

国是春秋时期的一个重要诸侯国。

Lǔ guó shì Chūnqiū shíqí de yí gè zhòngyào zhūhóu guó.

The State of Lu was an important vassal state during the Spring and Autumn period.

这篇论文的论述略显粗疏陋。

Zhè piān lùnwén de lùnshù lüè xiǎn cūshū lǔlòu.

The exposition in this thesis is somewhat crude and superficial.

迅的杂文犀利如匕首,直指社会弊病。

Lǔ Xùn de záwén xīlì rú bǐshǒu, zhí zhǐ shèhuì bìbìng.

Lu Xun's essays are as sharp as daggers, directly targeting social ills.