Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
茹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
茹rúsurname Ruunknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #42337, Very Hard
茹rúroots, vegetablesnr, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #42337, Very Hard
茹rú(extended meaning) to endureunknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #42337, Very Hard
茹rúputrid smellunknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #42337, Very Hard
茹rúroots (inextricably attached to the plant)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #42337, Very Hard
rú(Ru2)ru T2
  1. 1surname Ru
  2. 2roots, vegetables
Also a Chinese surname, Ru — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

茹rú(Ru2)

The character 茹 (rú) primarily refers to roots or vegetables, often indicating edible plants. It can also be used as a surname and carries a nuanced meaning of endurance or the ability to tolerate unpleasant situations, akin to enduring a putrid smell. This character is commonly used in contexts relating to food, especially in discussions about vegetables or plant-based diets.

Strokes9Radical艹Frequency#42337DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese cuisine, vegetables are a fundamental part of the diet, and the character 茹 embodies the importance of roots and plants in Chinese culture. Many dishes highlight the natural flavors of vegetables, reflecting a cultural appreciation for fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Memory tip

Imagine a root vegetable, like a carrot, growing deep in the soil, with the character 茹 representing its hidden strength beneath the earth. The 'r' in 'rú' sounds like 'root', while the 'u' can remind you of the underground, making it easier to remember this connection.

Meanings of 茹

rú(Ru2)
1roots, vegetables
2(extended meaning) to endure
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 茹 means.

About 茹

茹Simplified
9Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 茹

JasonAmy

Podcast: 茹

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 茹

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 茹 with other similar-sounding characters, as the tone can change the meaning. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing food. Common collocations include phrases related to cooking and nutrition.

HSK Study Tips

Although 茹 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be related to HSK Level 3 words that deal with food and nutrition. Students should focus on pronunciation and recognizing it in context, especially when reading recipes or discussing diets.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 茹 with other characters like 如 (rú, meaning 'as, like'). For example, using '如' when discussing vegetables would be incorrect; the proper character in that context is '茹'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 茹

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 茹 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 茹 to you

Let me explain 茹 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 茹 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 茹?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 茹 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 茹

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 如 represents the sound.

Memory hint

plant

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)如
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

茹 = 艹 + 如. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 茹

IDS Structure⿱艹如
茹Full character
=
艹cao3
top
如ru2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 茹?

How to say surname Ru in Chinese

“surname Ru” in Chinese is茹rú

The character 茹 (rú) primarily refers to roots or vegetables, often indicating edible plants. It can also be used as a surname and carries a nuanced meaning of endurance or the ability to tolerate unpleasant situations, akin to enduring a putrid smell. This character is commonly used in contexts relating to food, especially in discussions about vegetables or plant-based diets.

When to use 茹

Be careful not to confuse 茹 with other similar-sounding characters, as the tone can change the meaning. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing food. Common collocations include phrases related to cooking and nutrition.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 茹 with other characters like 如 (rú, meaning 'as, like'). For example, using '如' when discussing vegetables would be incorrect; the proper character in that context is '茹'.

Write 茹

茹

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 茹

茹 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 5 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 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安____葡萄酒。

The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.

Example sentences for 茹 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。

Suǒ mǐ ěr zhōuwéi de bái è zhì tǔrǎng chū chǎn zhùmíng de Ān rú pútaojiǔ。

The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
2
我猜她是德茹里一带的人.

wǒ cāi tā shì dé rú lǐ yídài de rén.

I place her in Drury Lane.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 茹?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 茹

Words containing this character8
茹rúto eat
梁静茹Fish Leong (1978-), Malaysian pop singer梁靜茹
含辛茹苦to bear one's cross
茹毛饮血devour raw meat and fowl (of savages)茹毛飲血
竹茹bamboo shavings (Bambusa tuldoides) used in Chinese medicine
茹素to eat a vegetarian diet
茹苦含辛bitter hardship
茹古涵今to take in (old and new experiences and sorrows)
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 茹

What does 梁静茹 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 茹

It refers to roots or vegetables, often in the context of edible plants.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 茹?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab