unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辰, rank #15109, Very Hard
rǔ(ru3)ru T3
1disgrace
2dishonor
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
辱rǔ(ru3)
The character 辱 (rǔ) primarily means 'to insult' or 'to humiliate,' conveying a sense of dishonor or disgrace. It is often used in contexts involving personal affronts or situations that bring shame to an individual or group. Additionally, it can imply being indebted to someone in a self-deprecating manner.
Strokes10Radical辰Frequency#15109DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining face and honor is paramount, making the concept of 辱 particularly significant as it relates to social relationships and reputation. Insulting someone's honor can lead to severe consequences in both personal and professional contexts.
Memory Tip
To remember 辱 (rǔ), think of a 'ruined reputation' where someone is 'insulted' (rǔ) by disgrace. The character features the radical 辶, which suggests movement, and the inner component 辱, which can remind you of 'rude' behavior that brings dishonor.
Meanings of 辱
rǔ(ru3)
1disgrace
2dishonor
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 辱 means.
About 辱
辱Simplified
10Strokes
辰Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#15109Frequency Rank
Podcast: 辱
Podcast: 辱
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 辱
Quick Contrast
侮 (wǔ) vs 辱 (rǔ): use 辱 when emphasizing a sense of disgrace or dishonor, while 侮 focuses more on the act of disrespect without the same connotation of shame.
Usage Notes
This character is generally used in serious contexts and may come off as strong or formal. Common collocations include 辱骂 (rǔmà - to insult) and 羞辱 (xiūrǔ - to humiliate). Be cautious with tones; using the wrong tone may change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
Although 辱 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to themes of honor and respect found in other words at higher levels. Students should focus on understanding its emotional weight and usage in formal situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 辱 with 侮 (wǔ), which also means to insult but has a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '我感到侮' (wǒ gǎndào wǔ) is incorrect; it should be '我感到辱' (wǒ gǎndào rǔ) to express feeling insulted.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 辱
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 辱 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 辱 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 辱?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 辱 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.
The character 辱 (rǔ) primarily means 'to insult' or 'to humiliate,' conveying a sense of dishonor or disgrace. It is often used in contexts involving personal affronts or situations that bring shame to an individual or group. Additionally, it can imply being indebted to someone in a self-deprecating manner.
When to use 辱
This character is generally used in serious contexts and may come off as strong or formal. Common collocations include 辱骂 (rǔmà - to insult) and 羞辱 (xiūrǔ - to humiliate). Be cautious with tones; using the wrong tone may change the meaning significantly.
辱 or something close to it
侮 (wǔ) vs 辱 (rǔ): use 辱 when emphasizing a sense of disgrace or dishonor, while 侮 focuses more on the act of disrespect without the same connotation of shame.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 辱 with 侮 (wǔ), which also means to insult but has a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '我感到侮' (wǒ gǎndào wǔ) is incorrect; it should be '我感到辱' (wǒ gǎndào rǔ) to express feeling insulted.
Write 辱
辱
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 辱 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 辱
辱 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 9 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他时刻提防着任何有____尊严之事。
He is constantly on guard against any threat of humiliation.
Example Sentences for 辱 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他时刻提防着任何有辱尊严之事。
tā shí kè tí fáng zháo rèn hé yǒu rǔ zūn yán zhī shì。
He is constantly on guard against any threat of humiliation.
