漏

• Pinyin: lòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 漏 = 氵(water) + 尸 (body) + 雨 (rain), water leaking through a roof

Meaning

To leak; to miss; to omit. Describes liquid escaping or something being overlooked.

Has multiple related meanings: physical leaking of liquids or gas, missing/omitting something, or revealing information that should be kept secret. Can describe roof leaks, water pipe leaks, omissions in lists, or slipping up and revealing secrets.

Examples

1. 下雨天屋顶总是漏水，得赶紧修一修。 When it rains, the roof always leaks; it needs to be fixed soon.
2. 这份名单漏掉了好几个人的名字。 This list is missing several people's names.
3. 他不小心漏了嘴，把秘密说了出来。 He accidentally let it slip and revealed the secret.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, maintenance, information

Tone: concerned

Do Say

• 水管漏了，得找人来修。(The water pipe is leaking; we need to call someone to fix it.)
• 你漏了一道题没做。(You missed one question.)

Don't Say

• 我漏了地铁。(For missing transportation, use 错过 — 漏 is for leaking or omitting from a list)

Origin & History

漏 combines 氵(water) with 屚, depicting water seeping through. Extended to mean omitting or revealing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal