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冉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
冉rǎntender; weak; to proceed graduallynr, 5 strokes, radical 冂, rank #58887, Very Hard
rǎn(ran3)ran T3
  1. 1tender; weak; to proceed gradually
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March 24, 2026

冉(冄)rǎn(ran3)

The character 冉 (rǎn) has meanings related to tenderness and gradual progress. It can refer to a slow or gentle movement, often used in poetic or literary contexts. This character conveys a sense of softness and delicacy, making it suitable for describing things that are weak or gentle in nature.

Strokes5Radical冂Frequency#58887DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, the concept of gradual progression and tenderness is often celebrated, and 冉 appears in expressions that reflect these themes. This character can be found in phrases like 冉冉升起 (rǎn rǎn shēng qǐ), which describes the slow rise of the sun, symbolizing hope and renewal.

Memory Tip

Imagine a soft, fluffy cloud slowly drifting across the sky, representing the tenderness and gradual movement associated with 冉. The character's form includes the radical for 'water' (氵), which can remind you of the gentle flow of a stream, reinforcing the idea of gradual progress.

Meanings of 冉

rǎn(ran3)
1tender; weak; to proceed gradually
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 冉

冉Simplified
冄Traditional
5Strokes
冂Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 冉

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Podcast: 冉

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AI Study Notes for 冉

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 冉 with similar-sounding characters, such as 然 (rán), which has a different meaning. This character is typically used in a more literary or formal context, so it may not appear frequently in everyday conversations. Be mindful of the third tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Although 冉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be linked to other HSK words describing movement or delicacy. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in literary texts or poetry to appreciate its connotations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 冉 with the character 然 (rán) due to their similar sounds and tones. For example, saying '我觉得这个很然' (wǒ juéde zhège hěn rán) instead of '我觉得这个很冉' (wǒ juéde zhège hěn rǎn) can change the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 冉

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Etymology of 冉

Explanation

Pictograph of two strands of something drooping.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 冉?

Decomposition of 冉

IDS Structure⿻冂土
冉Full Character
=
冂jiong1
outer
土Tu3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 冉?

How to say tender; weak; to proceed gradually in Chinese

“tender; weak; to proceed gradually” in Chinese is冉rǎn

The character 冉 (rǎn) has meanings related to tenderness and gradual progress. It can refer to a slow or gentle movement, often used in poetic or literary contexts. This character conveys a sense of softness and delicacy, making it suitable for describing things that are weak or gentle in nature.

When to use 冉

Common mistakes include confusing 冉 with similar-sounding characters, such as 然 (rán), which has a different meaning. This character is typically used in a more literary or formal context, so it may not appear frequently in everyday conversations. Be mindful of the third tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 冉 with the character 然 (rán) due to their similar sounds and tones. For example, saying '我觉得这个很然' (wǒ juéde zhège hěn rán) instead of '我觉得这个很冉' (wǒ juéde zhège hěn rǎn) can change the intended meaning.

Write 冉

冉

Practice writing 冉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 冉

冉 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

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

朱莉的戏剧老师相信她会成为一颗____冉升起的明星。

Her drama teacher is confident Julie is a star in the making.

Example Sentences for 冉 (2)

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1
朱莉的戏剧老师相信她会成为一颗冉冉升起的明星。

zhū lì de xì jù lǎo shī xiāng xìn tā huì chéng wéi yī kē rǎn rǎn shēng qǐ de míng xīng。

Her drama teacher is confident Julie is a star in the making.
2
老冉冉其将至兮.

lǎo rǎn rǎn qí jiāng zhì xī.

It'seems old is slowly catching up with me.

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Word Family of 冉

Words Containing This Character2
冉冉gradually
冉rǎngradually
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 冉

What does 冉冉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 冉

It is pronounced with a third tone: rǎn, where your voice dips and then rises.

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