unknown, 3 strokes, radical 刀, rank #11476, Very Hard
rèn(ren4) T4
1edged tool, cutlery, knife edge
2edge of blade
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
刃rèn(ren4)
The character 刃 (rèn) refers to the edge of a blade or any sharp-edged tool, such as a knife. It is commonly used in contexts related to cutlery, weaponry, and sometimes metaphorically to describe something sharp or incisive in nature.
Strokes3Radical刀Frequency#11476DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the quality of a knife's edge is often associated with craftsmanship and precision, especially in culinary arts, highlighting the importance placed on cooking techniques.
Memory Tip
Imagine a knife with a gleaming edge. The character 刃 resembles a blade slicing through the air, and the pronunciation 'rèn' can be remembered by thinking of 'renting' a knife for cooking. The sharpness of the blade connects to the sharpness of the pronunciation.
Meanings of 刃
rèn(ren4)
1edged tool, cutlery, knife edge
2edge of blade
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 刃
刃Simplified
3Strokes
刀Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 刃
Podcast: 刃
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 刃
Quick Contrast
刀 (dāo) vs 刀刃 (dāorèn) — use 刃 when specifically referring to the sharp edge of the blade rather than the entire knife.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo), which means 'knife' itself. 刃 is more specific to the edge of the knife. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in culinary or martial discussions.
HSK Study Tips
While 刃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with related words like 刀 (knife) and 剪 (scissors). Focus on differentiating these characters and understanding their specific meanings to enhance vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要一个刃' (I need an edge) instead of '我需要一个刀' (I need a knife) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 刃
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 刃 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Pictograph of a knife. Similar to 刀 (knife), with an added dot.
1The giveawayA knife 刀 sharp enough to draw blood 丶
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 刃? 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 刃?
Decomposition of 刃
IDS Structure⿹刀丶
刃Full Character
=
刀Dao1
enclosing
丶—
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 刃?
How to say edged tool, cutlery, knife edge in Chinese
“edged tool, cutlery, knife edge” in Chinese is刃rèn
The character 刃 (rèn) refers to the edge of a blade or any sharp-edged tool, such as a knife. It is commonly used in contexts related to cutlery, weaponry, and sometimes metaphorically to describe something sharp or incisive in nature.
When to use 刃
Be careful not to confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo), which means 'knife' itself. 刃 is more specific to the edge of the knife. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in culinary or martial discussions.
刃 or something close to it
刀 (dāo) vs 刀刃 (dāorèn) — use 刃 when specifically referring to the sharp edge of the blade rather than the entire knife.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 刃 (rèn) with 刀 (dāo) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要一个刃' (I need an edge) instead of '我需要一个刀' (I need a knife) is incorrect.
Write 刃
刃
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 刃 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 刃
刃 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 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 5
Complete the Sentence
这场战争必须速战速决，尽量兵不血____。
This war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.
Example Sentences for 刃 (15)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这场战争必须速战速决，尽量兵不血刃。
zhè cháng zhàn zhēng bì xū sù zhàn sù jué， ， jìn liáng bīng bù xiě。
This war had to be fought fast and relatively bloodlessly.
