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March 24, 2026
刃rèn(ren4)
The character 刃 (rèn) refers to the edge of a blade or any sharp-edged tool, such as a knife. It is commonly used in contexts related to cutlery, weaponry, and sometimes metaphorically to describe something sharp or incisive in nature.
Strokes3Radical刀Frequency#11476DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the quality of a knife's edge is often associated with craftsmanship and precision, especially in culinary arts, highlighting the importance placed on cooking techniques.
Memory Tip
Imagine a knife with a gleaming edge. The character 刃 resembles a blade slicing through the air, and the pronunciation 'rèn' can be remembered by thinking of 'renting' a knife for cooking. The sharpness of the blade connects to the sharpness of the pronunciation.
Meanings of 刃
rèn(ren4)
1edged tool, cutlery, knife edge
2edge of blade
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 刃
刃Simplified
3Strokes
刀Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 刃
Podcast: 刃
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AI Study Notes for 刃
Quick Contrast
刀 (dāo) vs 刀刃 (dāorèn) — use 刃 when specifically referring to the sharp edge of the blade rather than the entire knife.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a knife with a gleaming edge. The character 刃 resembles a blade slicing through the air, and the pronunciation 'rèn' can be remembered by thinking of 'renting' a knife for cooking. The sharpness of the blade connects to the sharpness of the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo), which means 'knife' itself. 刃 is more specific to the edge of the knife. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in culinary or martial discussions.
HSK Study Tips
While 刃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with related words like 刀 (knife) and 剪 (scissors). Focus on differentiating these characters and understanding their specific meanings to enhance vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the quality of a knife's edge is often associated with craftsmanship and precision, especially in culinary arts, highlighting the importance placed on cooking techniques.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要一个刃' (I need an edge) instead of '我需要一个刀' (I need a knife) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 刃
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Grammar Patterns of 刃
刃 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
这场战争必须速战速决，尽量兵不血____。
This war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.
Example Sentences for 刃 (10)
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1
这场战争必须速战速决，尽量兵不血刃。
zhè cháng zhàn zhēng bì xū sù zhàn sù jué， ， jìn liáng bīng bù xiě。
This war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.
These unwarlike auxiliaries gave way like cheese to a knife.
10
老人擦了擦刀刃,把桨放下.
lǎo rén cā le cā dāo rèn, , bǎ jiǎng fàng.
The old man wiped the blade of his knife and laid down the oar.
Cultural Notes for 刃
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the quality of a knife's edge is often associated with craftsmanship and precision, especially in culinary arts, highlighting the importance placed on cooking techniques.
Word Family of 刃
Words Containing This Character12
刃rènedge of blade
刀刃knife blade
游刃有余handling a butcher's cleaver with ease (idiom); to do sth skillfully and easily遊刃有餘
迎刃而解fig. easily solved
利刃sharp blade
兵刃(bladed) weapons
双刃剑double-edged sword (both lit. and fig.)雙刃劍
兵不血刃lit. no blood on the men's swords (idiom); fig. an effortless victory
白刃naked sword
白刃战hand-to-hand fighting白刃戰
血刃bloodshed
开刃to edge a knife, scissor, sword etc開刃
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 刃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 刃
It is pronounced as 'rèn', with a falling tone.
Yes, but it is more common in specific contexts like cooking or discussing weapons.
刃 refers to the edge of the knife, while 刀 refers to the knife itself.
