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March 24, 2026
肾(腎)shèn(shen4)
The character 肾 (shèn) refers specifically to the kidneys, which are vital organs in the human body responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. It is commonly used in medical contexts and discussions about health, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the kidneys are associated with vitality and longevity.
Strokes8Radical⺼Frequency#5366DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are considered the storehouse of 'jing' (essence), which is vital for health and longevity. This belief highlights the importance of kidney health in Chinese culture, often emphasized through diet and lifestyle.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 肾 as a 'kidney bean' shape, which can help you visualize its meaning. The left side, 肉 (ròu), means 'meat' or 'flesh,' and can remind you that kidneys are organs in the body. Think of 'shèn' sounding like 'shen' in 'shenandoah,' a river that flows, just like how kidneys filter fluids.
Meanings of 肾
shèn(shen4)
1kidney
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 肾
肾Simplified
腎Traditional
8Strokes
⺼Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 肾
Podcast: 肾
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AI Study Notes for 肾
Quick Contrast
肾 (shèn) vs 肝 (gān) — choose 肾 when referring specifically to kidneys, while 肝 refers to the liver.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the character 肾 as a 'kidney bean' shape, which can help you visualize its meaning. The left side, 肉 (ròu), means 'meat' or 'flesh,' and can remind you that kidneys are organs in the body. Think of 'shèn' sounding like 'shen' in 'shenandoah,' a river that flows, just like how kidneys filter fluids.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 肾 with other similar-sounding words, such as 申 (shēn), which means 'to report' or 'to extend.' This character is typically used in medical terminology and discussions, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include 肾脏 (shèn zàng) meaning 'kidney organ' and 肾功能 (shèn gōng néng) meaning 'kidney function.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 肾 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it's useful for learners at intermediate levels (HSK 3-4) who are expanding their medical and health-related vocabulary. Students should focus on its pronunciation and usage in healthcare contexts.
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are considered the storehouse of 'jing' (essence), which is vital for health and longevity. This belief highlights the importance of kidney health in Chinese culture, often emphasized through diet and lifestyle.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肾 (shèn) with 脏 (zàng), which means 'dirty' or 'internal organs.' For example, saying '肾脏' (shèn zàng) for 'dirty organ' is incorrect; it should always be used to refer specifically to the kidneys.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肾
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Grammar Patterns of 肾
肾 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
肝脏和____脏的维生素A含量尤其丰富。
Liver and kidney are particularly rich in vitamin A.
Example Sentences for 肾 (7)
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1
肝脏和肾脏的维生素A含量尤其丰富。
gān zāng hé shèn zāng de wéi shēng sùA A hán liáng yóu qí fēng。
Liver and kidney are particularly rich in vitamin A.
RESULTS: Aristolochic acid has nephrotoxicity, alimentary canal toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity.
7
目的探讨慢性马兜铃酸 肾病 的主要中医证候.
mù de tàn tǎo màn xìng mǎ dōu líng suān shèn bìng de zhǔ yào zhōng yī.
Objective To discuss the main and signs of chronic aristolochine nephropathy ( CAN ) .
Cultural Notes for 肾
🏮Cultural insight
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are considered the storehouse of 'jing' (essence), which is vital for health and longevity. This belief highlights the importance of kidney health in Chinese culture, often emphasized through diet and lifestyle.
Word Family of 肾
Words Containing This Character10
肾shènkidney腎
肾上腺adrenal glands腎上腺
肾脏kidney腎臟
肾小球glomerulus (medicine)腎小球
肾炎nephritis腎炎
肾上腺素adrenaline腎上腺素
肾结石kidney stone腎結石
肾盂renal pelvis (medicine)腎盂
肾盂炎pyelitis (medicine)腎盂炎
原肾管protonephridium (invertebrate anatomy)原腎管
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 肾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 肾
It is pronounced as 'shèn' with a falling tone.
It is more commonly used in medical contexts rather than casual conversations.
Related terms include 肾脏 (shèn zàng) for 'kidney organ' and 肾病 (shèn bìng) for 'kidney disease'.
