What does 聊 mean in Chinese?

聊 (liáo) means "to chat; to depend upon (literary); temporarily; just; slightly" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.

How do you pronounce 聊?

聊 is pronounced "liáo" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 聊?

聊 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.

What words contain the character 聊?

Common words with 聊 include 聊天 (to chat), 无聊 (bored), 聊天儿 (erhua variant of 聊天[liao2 tian1]), 聊且 (for the time being), 聊备 (to provide as expedient).

How do you write 聊?

You can practice writing 聊 using our stroke order tool.

聊 (liáo), to chat

聊

liáo

to chat; to depend upon (literary); temporarily; just

HSK 3 New to HSKverbliterary

Character Breakdown

Radical: 耳 (no. 128)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb, literary) to chat
to depend upon (literary)
temporarily
just
slightly

Example Sentences

我们找个地方坐下聊聊。

Wǒmen zhǎo ge dìfang zuò xià liáo liáo

Let's find a place to sit down and chat

Words Containing 聊

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
聊天	liáo tiān	to chat
无聊	wú liáo	bored	HSK 4
聊天儿	liáo tiān r	erhua variant of 聊天[liao2 tian1]	HSK 3
聊且	liáo qiě	for the time being
聊备

Related Words

取决(qǔ jué)· to depend upon

→

啃老(kěn lǎo)· (coll.) to live with and depend on one's parents even upon reaching adulthood

→

交谈(jiāo tán)· to discuss

→

侃(kǎn)· upright and honest

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 3
HSK 2.0: Not listed
HSK Lord study list: HSK 6 list

聊: New to the HSK lists at HSK 3. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 聊 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 3 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.