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March 24, 2026
嚅rú(ru2)
The character 嚅 (rú) refers to the act of mumbling or stuttering, often indicating a lack of clarity in speech. It can also imply chattering or speaking in a way that is not easily understood, typically due to hesitation or nervousness. This term is commonly used in contexts where someone is struggling to express themselves verbally.
Strokes17Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way one speaks can carry significant social implications; being clear and articulate is often valued, making the concept of mumbling or stuttering particularly relevant in discussions about public speaking and social interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 嚅 (rú) as a person trying to speak but getting tangled in their words, resembling a 'rude' interruption in conversation. The character combines the 'mouth' radical (口) with sounds that suggest muddled speech, making it memorable as someone mumbling incoherently.
Meanings of 嚅
rú(ru2)
1to mumble, to stutter
2chattering
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 嚅
嚅Simplified
17Strokes
口Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嚅
Podcast: 嚅
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AI Study Notes for 嚅
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 嚅 (rú) as a person trying to speak but getting tangled in their words, resembling a 'rude' interruption in conversation. The character combines the 'mouth' radical (口) with sounds that suggest muddled speech, making it memorable as someone mumbling incoherently.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 嚅 (rú) with other characters related to speech, like 听 (tīng, to listen) or 说 (shuō, to speak). This term is informal and should be used in casual settings, as it may not be suitable for formal communication. Be cautious with the pronunciation, especially the tone, to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
While 嚅 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it can be connected to other vocabulary related to communication, such as 说 (shuō) and 听 (tīng). Students should focus on recognizing the character's components and practicing its pronunciation to enhance their speaking skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way one speaks can carry significant social implications; being clear and articulate is often valued, making the concept of mumbling or stuttering particularly relevant in discussions about public speaking and social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 嚅 (rú) with 呜 (wū), which relates to crying or moaning. For example, saying '我嚅了' (wǒ rúle) instead of '我呜了' (wǒ wūle) would be incorrect if one intended to express crying.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嚅
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Cultural Notes for 嚅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the way one speaks can carry significant social implications; being clear and articulate is often valued, making the concept of mumbling or stuttering particularly relevant in discussions about public speaking and social interactions.
Word Family of 嚅
Words Containing This Character2
嗫嚅to stammer囁嚅
嚅rúchattering
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 嗫嚅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嚅
It is pronounced with a rising tone (rú), which is important to distinguish it from other words.
No, 嚅 is generally used in informal contexts and is not suitable for formal writing.
Yes, it can be used to describe someone who is mumbling or not speaking clearly.