pen, prison, stable

JLPT N5 7 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character primarily refers to a physical enclosure such as a prison cell, a pen for animals, or a secure place to confine something. It conveys the idea of being firmly locked or securely held.

Common Contexts

  1. Prison or Jail (): Used to describe a prison cell or jail where criminals are confined.
  2. Animal Pen (): Refers to an enclosure for animals to keep them safe or contained.
  3. Secure or Firm (牢固): Used metaphorically to describe something that is solid, firm, or secure, such as a lock or relationship.

Collocations and Patterns

  • (láofáng): prison cell
  • (láolóng): cage or pen
  • 牢固 (láogù): firm, solid, secure

Usage Notes

When using to describe security or firmness, it often appears in compound words like 牢固. When referring to confinement, it usually appears as part of a compound indicating a physical enclosure. Avoid confusing with similar-sounding words that do not imply confinement or firmness.

Register and Tone

The word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in written language. It is more common in literary or formal descriptions than in casual speech.

Example Sentences

He was put into prison because of committing a crime.

The farmer put the sheep in the pen to prevent them from getting lost.

This lock is very secure and cannot be opened.