English

Proper noun

Liao

1. A river of Manchuria (northeastern China)
2. A various medieval dynasties of Khitan rulers in Chinese history originally from its watershed

Synonyms

• Khitan Empire, Khitan Dynasty, Northern Liao, Western Liao, Kara-Khitan Khanate (dynasties)

Etymology 2

A romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of 遼 ‎(Liáo), the Chinese provincial abbreviation

Proper noun

Liao

1. (uncommon) Liaoning, a Chinese province surrounding and named for the Liao watershed

Etymology 3

A romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciations of various characters, including 廖 ‎(Liào)

Proper noun

Liao

1. A Chinese surname

Etymology 4

A romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of 僚 ‎(Liáo)

Proper noun

Liao

1. Synonym of Rau, a people of southeastern China

Mandarin

Romanization

liao

1. Nonstandard spelling of liāo.
2. Nonstandard spelling of liáo.
3. Nonstandard spelling of liǎo.
4. Nonstandard spelling of liào.

Usage notes

• English transcriptions of Mandarin speech often fail to distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without the appropriate indication of tone.