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任人宰割 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
任人宰割rènrénzǎigēto get trampled on (idiom)HSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #28840, Very Hard
任人宰割rènrénzǎigēto be taken advantage ofHSK 7, unknown, 30 strokes, rank #28840, Very Hard
rènrénzǎigē(ren4ren2zai3ge1)ren ren zai ge T4
  1. 1to get trampled on (idiom)
  2. 2to be taken advantage of
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March 24, 2026

任人宰割rènrénzǎigē(ren4ren2zai3ge1)

The idiom 任人宰割 (rèn rén zǎi gē) translates to 'to be at the mercy of others' or 'to be trampled on.' It conveys the idea of being powerless and easily exploited by others, often used in contexts where someone is taken advantage of or mistreated. This phrase is typically used in discussions about unfair treatment or exploitation in both personal and professional relationships.

Strokes30Frequency#28840DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The concept of being at the mercy of others resonates in traditional Chinese narratives where individuals often face larger societal forces, such as authority figures or societal expectations. This idiom reflects the value placed on individual agency and the caution against exploitation in interpersonal relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sheep (任) being led (人) to a butcher (宰) who is ready to carve it up (割). The sheep feels helpless, just like someone who is at the mercy of others. The sound of 'rèn' can remind you of 'run,' as in running away from a situation where you feel exploited.

Meanings of 任人宰割

rènrénzǎigē(ren4ren2zai3ge1)
1to get trampled on (idiom)
2to be taken advantage of
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About 任人宰割

任人宰割Simplified
30Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI Study Notes for 任人宰割

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing this idiom, as incorrect tones can change the meaning. It's often used in a negative context, so avoid using it in formal or positive discussions unless discussing the consequences of exploitation. Common collocations include '被任人宰割' (be taken advantage of) and '不愿意任人宰割' (unwilling to be exploited).

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom may not specifically appear in HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more complex texts. Focus on the individual characters and their meanings, as well as the context in which idioms are used. This can help you recognize similar idiomatic expressions in your studies.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the characters, mispronouncing the tones. For example, saying 'rèn rén zǎi gā' instead of 'rèn rén zǎi gē' can lead to misunderstandings. Always pay close attention to the tones for accurate communication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 任人宰割

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Component Characters

任rènto assign
HSK 76 strokes亻
View full entry
人rénman
HSK 12 strokes人
View full entry
宰zǎito slaughter livestock
HSK 710 strokes宀
View full entry
割gēto cut
HSK 612 strokes刂
View full entry

How to say to get trampled on (idiom) in Chinese

“to get trampled on (idiom)” in Chinese is任人宰割rènrénzǎigē

The idiom 任人宰割 (rèn rén zǎi gē) translates to 'to be at the mercy of others' or 'to be trampled on.' It conveys the idea of being powerless and easily exploited by others, often used in contexts where someone is taken advantage of or mistreated. This phrase is typically used in discussions about unfair treatment or exploitation in both personal and professional relationships.

When to use 任人宰割

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing this idiom, as incorrect tones can change the meaning. It's often used in a negative context, so avoid using it in formal or positive discussions unless discussing the consequences of exploitation. Common collocations include '被任人宰割' (be taken advantage of) and '不愿意任人宰割' (unwilling to be exploited).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the characters, mispronouncing the tones. For example, saying 'rèn rén zǎi gā' instead of 'rèn rén zǎi gē' can lead to misunderstandings. Always pay close attention to the tones for accurate communication.

Write 任人宰割

任
人
宰
割

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Frequently Asked Questions about 任人宰割

It literally means 'to be butchered and cut by others,' reflecting a state of being powerless.

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