锁 (suǒ) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 锁 (suǒ) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 锁 (suǒ) means "Lock / To lock". It is an HSK Level 5 character, with 12 strokes and the radical 钅.

Q: How do you write 锁 stroke by stroke?

锁 has 12 strokes. The radical is 钅. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 锁 and 钰?

锁 (suǒ) and 钰 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 锁?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 钅. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 锁?

Common words containing 锁 include: 锁门 (suǒ mén) — To lock the door; 开锁 (kāi suǒ) — to unlock; 锁头 (suǒ tou) — Lock / Padlock.

How to Write 锁

The character 锁 (suǒ) is written with 12 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 钅 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

锁 is pronounced suǒ in Mandarin Chinese. It means Lock / To lock.

As an HSK Level 5 character, 锁 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 锁

锁门 suǒ mén

To lock the door

开锁 kāi suǒ

to unlock

锁头 suǒ tou

Lock / Padlock

Example Sentences

出门前请记得锁门。

chū mén qián qǐng jì de suǒ mén

Please remember to lock the door before going out.

他正在用钥匙开锁。

tā zhèng zài yòng yào shi kāi suǒ

He is using a key to unlock the door.

这个锁头已经坏了。

zhè ge suǒ tou yǐ jīng huài le

This padlock is already broken.

Similar Characters

钰 yù

钱 qián

钲 zhēng

Practice Writing 锁 (suǒ)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 锁 with real-time feedback.

App Store ▶ Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions about 锁

What does 锁 (suǒ) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 锁 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 锁 and 钰?

What mistakes do learners make writing 锁?

What common words use 锁?

How to Write 锁 (suǒ)