勒
Character learning workspace

lè / lēi · to strangle

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 7-9Frequency #2605
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Learn every stroke in 勒

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

勒 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

lè

(literary) bridle; halter; headstall; to rein in

勾勒gōu lè · to draw the outline of
lēi

to strap tightly; to bind

勒死lēi sǐ · to strangle
Step-by-step explorer

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

11Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

力Key radical

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Print and practise

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Vocabulary in context

Common words with 勒

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

lè(literary) bridle; halter; headstall; to rein in
lēito strap tightly; to bind
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Example sentences

Notice where 勒 sits in each complete thought.

Zhōng xiǎo qǐ yè yào lè jǐn kù dài cái néng cún huó.中小企业要勒紧裤带才能存活。

Small businesses will have to tighten their belts to survive.

Source: Tatoeba #389413 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Jiā lǐ níng gé lè jiù chēngwéi gē ní sī bǎo.加里宁格勒旧称为哥尼斯堡。

Kaliningrad was once called Koenigsberg.

Source: Tatoeba #711719 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Yǒu yí gè jiào mǐ lè de xiǎng jiàn nǐ.有一个叫米勒的想见你。

A Mr. Miller wants to see you.

Source: Tatoeba #6197255 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhǎo dào fǎ dí lè bìng bù nán.找到法迪勒并不难。

Finding Fadil isn't hard.

Source: Tatoeba #6114747 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Xī tè lè zài yījiǔ sān sān nián qǔ dé le quán lì.希特勒在一九三三年取得了權力。

Hitler assumed power in 1933.

Source: Tatoeba #616225 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà bú lè sī shì yí gè fēng jǐng rú huà de chéng shì.那不勒斯是一個風景如畫的城市。

Naples is a picturesque city.

Source: Tatoeba #482909 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 勒 in context

  1. Say lè / lēi, then recall the core meaning: to strangle.
  2. Write all 11 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 勾勒 (gōu lè), meaning “to draw the outline of”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 勒 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.