Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
遴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
遴línto select, to choose; surnamev, 15 strokes, radical 辶
遴línsurname Linunknown, 15 strokes, radical 辶
lín(Lin2)lin T2
  1. 1to select, to choose; surname
Also a Chinese surname, Lin — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

遴lín(Lin2)

The character 遴 (lín) means 'to select' or 'to choose.' It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in government or organizational settings where decisions are made regarding personnel or options. Additionally, it can also be a surname in Chinese culture.

Strokes15Radical辶
Cultural note

In Chinese history, 遴 has been associated with imperial examinations, where officials were selected based on merit. This reflects the importance of selection processes in governance and societal structure in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a person standing at a crossroads (the character 遴 looks like a person at a fork), carefully deciding which path to take (selecting a route), and saying 'lin' as they make their choice. The radical 辶 (walking) signifies movement, reinforcing the idea of making a selection.

Meanings of 遴

lín(Lin2)
1to select, to choose; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 遴 means.

About 遴

遴Simplified
15Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 遴

JasonAmy

Podcast: 遴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 遴

Quick Contrast

挑 (tiāo) — use 遴 (lín) for formal selections, while 挑 (tiāo) is more casual or implies a preference.

Usage Notes

Be cautious as 遴 is a formal term and might not be suitable for everyday conversation. It is often paired with terms related to recruitment or selection processes, such as 遴选 (línxuǎn), meaning 'to select' or 'to choose from a group.' Watch out for mispronunciation, particularly confusing it with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 遴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to selection or choice, such as 选择 (xuǎnzé). Students at higher HSK levels should focus on understanding the nuances of formal vocabulary and its proper contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遴 with similar characters like 选 (xuǎn), which means 'to choose' in a broader sense. Remember that 遴 implies a more formal selection process, so using it in casual situations is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遴

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 遴 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 遴 to You

Let me explain 遴 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 遴 through them.

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

How Well Do You Know 遴?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 遴 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 遴

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

walk

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

Origin

遴 = 辶 + 粦. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 遴

IDS Structure⿺辶粦
遴Full character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
粦lin2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 遴?

How to say to select, to choose; surname in Chinese

“to select, to choose; surname” in Chinese is遴lín

The character 遴 (lín) means 'to select' or 'to choose.' It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in government or organizational settings where decisions are made regarding personnel or options. Additionally, it can also be a surname in Chinese culture.

When to use 遴

Be cautious as 遴 is a formal term and might not be suitable for everyday conversation. It is often paired with terms related to recruitment or selection processes, such as 遴选 (línxuǎn), meaning 'to select' or 'to choose from a group.' Watch out for mispronunciation, particularly confusing it with similar-sounding words.

遴 or something close to it

挑 (tiāo) — use 遴 (lín) for formal selections, while 挑 (tiāo) is more casual or implies a preference.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 遴 with similar characters like 选 (xuǎn), which means 'to choose' in a broader sense. Remember that 遴 implies a more formal selection process, so using it in casual situations is incorrect.

Write 遴

遴

Practice writing 遴 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 遴

遴 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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 2

Fill the gap

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

“我认为错在那些____选者,”他说。

"I blame the selectors," quoth he.

Example Sentences for 遴 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
“我认为错在那些遴选者,”他说。

“ “ wǒ rèn wéi cuò zài nà xiē lín xuǎn,” zhě ,”。

"I blame the selectors," quoth he.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 遴?

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 遴

Words containing this character2
遴选to pick遴選
遴línsurname Lin
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 遴

What does 遴选 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 遴

No, 遴 is more formal and is typically used in official contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 遴?

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