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壬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
rén9th heavenly stemm, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rénninth of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shi2 tian1 gan1]unknown, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rénninth in orderunknown, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rénletter "I" or roman "IX" in list "A, B, C", or "I, II, III" etcunknown, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rénancient Chinese compass point: 345°unknown, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rénnonaunknown, 4 strokes, radical 士, rank #32420, Hard
rén(ren2) T2
  1. 19th heavenly stem
  2. 2ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shi2 tian1 gan1]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
rén(ren2)

壬 (rén) refers to the ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems, which are used in traditional Chinese calendars and astrology. It can also denote the number nine in various contexts, such as Roman numeral IX or the compass point at 345°. This character may appear in discussions of Chinese culture, astrology, and ancient systems of classification.

Strokes4RadicalFrequency#32420DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Heavenly Stems are integral to the traditional calendar system, and each stem is associated with elements and zodiac signs. 壬, being the ninth stem, has specific astrological implications.

Memory Tip

Think of 壬 as a 'nine' standing proudly on a pedestal, its strong strokes representing the importance of this number in Chinese culture. The top part resembles a roof, symbolizing elevation, while the vertical line suggests stability, connecting it to the concept of order in the Heavenly Stems.

Meanings of 壬

rén(ren2)
19th heavenly stem
2ninth of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shi2 tian1 gan1]
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 壬

Simplified
4Strokes
Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 壬

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 壬

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 壬 as a 'nine' standing proudly on a pedestal, its strong strokes representing the importance of this number in Chinese culture. The top part resembles a roof, symbolizing elevation, while the vertical line suggests stability, connecting it to the concept of order in the Heavenly Stems.

Usage Notes

壬 is primarily used in formal contexts related to astrology, calendars, and historical texts. Common mistakes include confusing it with other Heavenly Stems or numerals. Always be mindful of proper pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

While 壬 is not an HSK level word, it connects with HSK Level 1 vocabulary by introducing learners to numbers and their cultural significance. Focus on understanding its role in the Heavenly Stems to appreciate its broader context in Chinese culture.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Heavenly Stems are integral to the traditional calendar system, and each stem is associated with elements and zodiac signs. 壬, being the ninth stem, has specific astrological implications.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 壬 with other similar characters like 辛 (xīn), which is the eighth Heavenly Stem. Remember that 壬 represents the number nine, while 辛 indicates eight. Additionally, mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other unrelated words.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 壬

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Etymology of 壬

Decomposition of 壬

IDS Structure⿱丿士
Full Character
=
丿pie3
top
Shi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 壬?

Write 壬

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 壬

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the Heavenly Stems are integral to the traditional calendar system, and each stem is associated with elements and zodiac signs. 壬, being the ninth stem, has specific astrological implications.

Word Family of 壬

Words Containing This Character7
rénnona
壬辰twenty-ninth year I5 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2012 or 2072
壬午nineteenth year I7 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2002 or 2062
壬子forty-ninth year I1 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1972 or 2032
壬申ninth year I9 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1992 or 2052
壬寅thirty-ninth year I3 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1962 or 2022
壬戌fifty-ninth year I11 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1982 or 2042
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 壬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 壬

壬 corresponds to the water element in the Chinese zodiac and has specific meanings in fortune-telling.