漏洞

• Pinyin: lòu dòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 漏 = 氵(water) + 屚, leaking; 洞 = 氵(water) + 同 (same), a cave or hole

Meaning

Loophole; flaw; vulnerability. A gap or weakness in a system, argument, or security.

Used to describe weaknesses in laws, regulations, security systems, arguments, or plans. In modern usage, frequently refers to computer security vulnerabilities. Implies something that can be exploited or needs to be fixed.

Examples

1. 这个法律有很多漏洞，需要进一步完善。 This law has many loopholes and needs further improvement.
2. 黑客利用系统漏洞窃取了大量用户数据。 Hackers exploited a system vulnerability to steal large amounts of user data.
3. 他的论证存在明显的漏洞，很容易被反驳。 His argument has obvious flaws and can easily be refuted.

Usage Guide

Context: law, security, technology, logic

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 我们要及时修补安全漏洞。(We need to patch security vulnerabilities promptly.)
• 这个计划漏洞百出。(This plan is full of holes.)

Don't Say

• 墙上有一个漏洞。(For a physical hole in a wall, use 洞 or 窟窿 — 漏洞 is for systemic flaws)

Origin & History

漏 (lòu, leak) + 洞 (dòng, hole). A hole through which things leak; a gap or flaw.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal