unknown, 5 strokes, radical 亻, rank #62435, Very Hard
rèn(ren4) T4
1ancient unit of measure (about 8 feet); a fathom
2(measure)
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March 24, 2026
仞rèn(ren4)
仞 (rèn) is an ancient Chinese unit of measurement, approximately equivalent to 8 feet or 2.4 meters. It was historically used to measure depth, particularly in contexts like surveying land or water. While still recognized, it is rarely used in modern measurements, making it more of a historical reference.
Strokes5Radical亻Frequency#62435DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The use of 仞 reflects China's rich history in surveying and land measurement practices, which were vital for agriculture and urban planning in ancient times. This character often appears in historical literature about architecture and land management.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant measuring a deep well with a long stick that is 8 feet tall, which is the height of a person. The character 仞 resembles a person (亻) standing next to a measuring rod (木) – think of this figure measuring the depth of a well.
Meanings of 仞
rèn(ren4)
1ancient unit of measure (about 8 feet); a fathom
2(measure)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 仞
仞Simplified
5Strokes
亻Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 仞
Podcast: 仞
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AI Study Notes for 仞
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant measuring a deep well with a long stick that is 8 feet tall, which is the height of a person. The character 仞 resembles a person (亻) standing next to a measuring rod (木) – think of this figure measuring the depth of a well.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 仞 with similar characters that relate to different measurements. It is generally considered a formal term and not used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases related to depth and measurement in historical texts.
HSK Study Tips
仞 is not included in the HSK levels, but understanding it can enhance comprehension of classical texts and historical documents. Focus on recognizing the character in context and its relationship to other measurement units like 尺 (chǐ) and 寸 (cùn).
Cultural Note
The use of 仞 reflects China's rich history in surveying and land measurement practices, which were vital for agriculture and urban planning in ancient times. This character often appears in historical literature about architecture and land management.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 仞 with other measurement characters like 寸 (cùn), which is smaller. For example, saying '我有三仞' (I have three 仞) instead of '我有三尺' (I have three 尺) can lead to misunderstandings about dimensions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 仞
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Cultural Notes for 仞
🏮Cultural insight
The use of 仞 reflects China's rich history in surveying and land measurement practices, which were vital for agriculture and urban planning in ancient times. This character often appears in historical literature about architecture and land management.
Word Family of 仞
Words Containing This Character1
仞rèn(measure)
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 仞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 仞
No, 仞 is considered an archaic unit of measurement and is rarely used in contemporary contexts.
仞 is pronounced as 'rèn' with a falling tone, similar to how you would say 'run' but with an 'n' sound at the end.
Understanding 仞 can be useful for reading historical texts and understanding ancient measurements in contexts like literature or archaeology.
