牢 láo pen
pen; prison; stable; firm; secure; sturdy
How to remember 牢: 宀 house + 牛 cow = pen. The little wooden house behind the farm is where the cow sleeps, and the kids call it her cosy pen.
Component breakdown
牢 = 宀 house + 牛 cow
- 宀 house
- 牛 cow
The little wooden house behind the farm is where the cow sleeps, and the kids call it her cosy pen.
How it is used
- Two senses: prison/pen, and firm/secure - 坐牢 (zuòláo) to be jailed, 牢房 a cell.
- Firm/solid: 牢固 (láogù) firm/sturdy, 牢牢 (láoláo) firmly (牢牢记住 to firmly remember), 牢记 (láojì) to bear firmly in mind.
- 亡羊补牢 (wángyáng-bǔláo) 'mend the pen after losing sheep' = better late than never.
- 牢骚 (láosāo) = grievances/griping: 发牢骚 (fā láosāo) to complain/grumble.