Definitions

luò (verb) to fall; to drop
luò (verb) (of sun) to set
luò (verb) to decline; to sink
luò (verb) to lag behind
luò (verb) to write down
(verb) to leave out; to leave behind; to forget to bring

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "落" integrates the grass radical with the phonetic component "洛", pointing to an early association with botanical elements and the natural phenomenon of leaves or blossoms descending. Its primary sense of physical falling gradually extended to metaphorical declines, such as in fortune or brightness, and later embraced notions of settlement, as seen in the context of people alighting or communities forming, which contributed to its use in words denoting villages or tribal groups. This semantic broadening further incorporated ideas of being omitted or reduced, evident in expressions related to lagging or withering. Contemporary applications of the character maintain these accumulated meanings, spanning from concrete actions like dropping to abstract concepts of establishment or decay, all while its structural composition has remained consistent throughout its historical usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

太阳山了。

Tàiyáng luò shān le.

The sun has set.

树叶从树上下来。

Shùyè cóng shù shàng luò xià lái.

Leaves fall from the tree.

他的眼泪下了。

Tā de yǎnlèi luò xià le.

His tears fell.

飞机安全降了。

Fēijī ānquán jiàngluò le.

The airplane landed safely.

他考试后了。

Tā kǎoshì luòhòu le.

He fell behind in the exam.

新大楼终于成了。

Xīn dàlóu zhōngyú luòchéng le.

The new building is finally completed.

请各位嘉宾座。

Qǐng gèwèi jiābīn luòzuò.

Please take your seats, honored guests.

他在画上了款。

Tā zài huà shàng luò le kuǎn.

He inscribed his name on the painting.