HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
to go into
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
to join
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
to become a member of
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
to confirm or agree with
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
to enter, to come in; to join
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
abbr. for 入聲
HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
入
rù
abbr. for 入聲|入声[ru4 sheng1]
HSK 4, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Medium
rù(ru4) T4
1to enter
2to go into
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March 24, 2026
入rù(ru4)
The character 入 (rù) means 'to enter' or 'to go into.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as physically entering a place, joining a group, or confirming a statement. This character is foundational in Mandarin, often appearing in phrases and compound words related to entry or involvement.
Strokes2Radical入Frequency#1139DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, entering a home often involves customs such as removing shoes, symbolizing respect for the space. The act of entering can also signify acceptance into a community or family, highlighting the importance of belonging.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person stepping through a doorway (the shape of 入 resembles a person entering a space). Think of the sound 'rù' as a whisper inviting you to come in—'rù' sounds like 'root,' suggesting you are rooting yourself in a new place or group.
Meanings of 入
rù(ru4)
1to enter
2to go into
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 入
入Simplified
2Strokes
入Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1139Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 入
Podcast: 入
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AI Study Notes for 入
Quick Contrast
进 (jìn) vs 进入 (jìnrù) — use 入 for a more general or abstract sense of entering, while 进 emphasizes the action of moving forward into a space.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 入 with 进 (jìn), which also means 'to enter' but has a slightly different nuance (more about moving into a space). 入 is often used in a more general or formal context. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is rù (falling tone), not rú (rising tone).
HSK Study Tips
Though 入 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other basic verbs like 出 (chū, to go out) and 进 (jìn, to enter). Students should practice using 入 in sentences to reinforce its meaning and context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 入 when talking about entering a building, mistakenly using 进 instead. For example, saying '我入商店' (Wǒ rù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我进商店' (Wǒ jìn shāngdiàn).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 入
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Origin unclear. Variously explained a a pictograph of an entrance to a tent, or an arrow pointing forward.
1The giveawayAn arrow indicating "enter"
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 入? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 入?
How to say to enter in Chinese
“to enter” in Chinese is入rù
The character 入 (rù) means 'to enter' or 'to go into.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as physically entering a place, joining a group, or confirming a statement. This character is foundational in Mandarin, often appearing in phrases and compound words related to entry or involvement.
When to use 入
A common mistake is confusing 入 with 进 (jìn), which also means 'to enter' but has a slightly different nuance (more about moving into a space). 入 is often used in a more general or formal context. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is rù (falling tone), not rú (rising tone).
入 or something close to it
进 (jìn) vs 进入 (jìnrù) — use 入 for a more general or abstract sense of entering, while 进 emphasizes the action of moving forward into a space.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 入 when talking about entering a building, mistakenly using 进 instead. For example, saying '我入商店' (Wǒ rù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我进商店' (Wǒ jìn shāngdiàn).
Write 入
入
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Practice writing 入 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 入
入 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 8 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.
For safety reasons, protective gear must be worn before entering the laboratory.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
I held my breath and sank under the water.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 入
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, entering a new space often holds significance. For example, when entering a home, it's common to say '请进' (please enter), showing hospitality and respect.
Word Family of 入
Compounds17
全Quan2surname Quan
內nei4inside
肏
兪
汆cuan1to parboil; to boil; a kettle of hot water
籴di2to purchase grain; to store grain
込
兦
兩liang3two, both, pair, couple; ounce
叺
圦
屳
扖
杁
釞
魞
鳰
Words Containing This Character20
进入jìnrùto enter進入
入rùto enter
加入jiārùto join
收入shōurùto take in
投入tóurùto throw into
深入shēnrùthorough
陷入xiànrùto sink into
入侵rùqīnto invade
输入shūrùto import輸入
入口rùkǒuentrance
介入jièrùto intervene
闯入to intrude闖入
注入zhùrùto pour into
侵入to invade
纳入nàrùto bring into納入
卷入juǎnrùto be drawn into捲入
列入lièrùto include on a list
融入róngrùto blend into
引入yǐnrùto draw into
入睡to fall asleep
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 全 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 入
Common phrases that include 入 are '进入' (jìnrù), meaning 'to enter,' and '入境' (rùjìng), meaning 'to enter a country.' These phrases are used in various contexts, including travel and everyday conversation.
Yes, 入 is used in several Chinese idioms. For example, '入木三分' (rù mù sān fēn) literally means 'to enter three points into the wood' and is used to describe something that is deeply insightful or profound.
入 (rù) means 'to enter' or 'to go into.' It can also imply joining or becoming a member of something. In addition, 入 is an abbreviation for 入声 (rù shēng), which refers to a tone category in Chinese phonetics.
You can use 入 in sentences to describe the action of entering a place or joining a group. For example, '我想入这个俱乐部' (Wǒ xiǎng rù zhège jùlèbù) means 'I want to join this club.' It’s important to note the context in which you use it to convey the correct meaning.
You can say '我想入这个组织' (Wǒ xiǎng rù zhège zǔzhī), which means 'I want to join this organization.'
No, 入 can also refer to entering into agreements or joining groups, making it versatile in its use.
Common phrases include '进入' (jìnrù, to enter into) and '加入' (jiārù, to join).
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