摞 (luò) — to pile up, to stack

Definition

A verb meaning to stack or pile things (books, clothes, plates) one on top of another. It is also used as a measure word for a stack of flat objects.

verb
to pile upto stack
Easily confused

Examples

  • 摞。
    Tā bǎ shū luò zài zhuō zi shàng.
    He piled the books up on the table.
  • 摞，。
    Bié luò tài gāo, huì dǎo.
    Don't stack it too high, it will fall.
  • 摞。
    Tā zhèng zài luò yī fu.
    She is stacking the clothes.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
累
累lèi摞luò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

摞 uses 手 to show the action is done with the hand, while 累 gives the sound.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.