liáo

to chat

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Components
耳 meaning component

  Meaning component

ěr

  

ear

卯 sound component

  Sound component

mǎo

  

4th terrestrial branch

Evolution

聊 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
聊 Clerical script Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
聊 Seal script Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal script

Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
聊 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

 

liáo

somewhat, slightly, at least; to chat; to depend upon (literary); temporarily; just; slightly

Most common words with 聊
Freq.
Word
Meaning

无聊

bored

to chat

聊天

to chat

闲聊

to chat

百无聊赖

bored stiff