HSK 6, ng, 4 strokes, radical 亻, rank #10963, Hard
仁
rén
kernel
HSK 6, ng, 4 strokes, radical 亻, rank #10963, Hard
仁
rén
benevolent, humane, kind
HSK 6, ng, 4 strokes, radical 亻, rank #10963, Hard
rén(ren2)ren T2
1humane
2kernel
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March 24, 2026
仁rén(ren2)
仁 (rén) refers to the concept of benevolence or humanity in Confucian philosophy. It embodies kindness, compassion, and a sense of moral duty to others, often used in contexts relating to ethics and interpersonal relationships.
Strokes4Radical亻Frequency#10963DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
仁 is central to Confucianism, representing the highest virtue one can achieve. It reflects the importance of community and relationships in Chinese society, where showing kindness is often seen as a moral obligation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart (the radical for 仁 looks like a person with a heart). Think of 'rén' as 'rain' that nourishes the earth, symbolizing kindness that helps others grow and thrive.
Meanings of 仁
rén(ren2)
1humane
2kernel
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 仁 means.
About 仁
仁Simplified
4Strokes
亻Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#10963Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 仁
Podcast: 仁
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AI Study Notes for 仁
Quick Contrast
仁 (rén) vs 慈 (cí) — choose 仁 for a broader sense of benevolence and moral duty, while 慈 specifically emphasizes kindness and compassion.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 仁 with similar-sounding words like 人 (rén), which means 'person.' It is often used in formal contexts, especially in philosophical discussions or when describing moral character. Common collocations include 仁爱 (rén ài), meaning 'benevolence' or 'compassion.'
HSK Study Tips
While 仁 is not in the HSK curriculum, it connects with other ethical concepts like 德 (dé, virtue) and 忍 (rěn, patience), which may appear in advanced studies. Focus on understanding its philosophical background to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 仁 with 人 (rén), which means 'person.' For example, saying '我很仁' (wǒ hěn rén) is incorrect; it should be '我很仁慈' (wǒ hěn réncí), meaning 'I am very benevolent.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 仁
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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.
仁 (rén) refers to the concept of benevolence or humanity in Confucian philosophy. It embodies kindness, compassion, and a sense of moral duty to others, often used in contexts relating to ethics and interpersonal relationships.
When to use 仁
Be careful not to confuse 仁 with similar-sounding words like 人 (rén), which means 'person.' It is often used in formal contexts, especially in philosophical discussions or when describing moral character. Common collocations include 仁爱 (rén ài), meaning 'benevolence' or 'compassion.'
仁 or something close to it
仁 (rén) vs 慈 (cí) — choose 仁 for a broader sense of benevolence and moral duty, while 慈 specifically emphasizes kindness and compassion.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 仁 with 人 (rén), which means 'person.' For example, saying '我很仁' (wǒ hěn rén) is incorrect; it should be '我很仁慈' (wǒ hěn réncí), meaning 'I am very benevolent.'
Write 仁
仁
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Practice writing 仁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 仁
仁 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 3 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
玛丽亚对两个孩子都疼爱有加,向来一视同____。
Maria loved both the children. There was never a hint of favouritism.