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容 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
容róngto holda, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngto containa, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngto allowa, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngto toleratea, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngappearancea, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容rónglooka, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngcountenancea, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngappearance, looks; form, figure; to contain, to holda, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
容róngsurname Ronga, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3906, Hard
róng(Rong2)rong T2
  1. 1to hold
  2. 2to contain
Also a Chinese surname, Rong — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

容róng(Rong2)

The character 容 (róng) has multiple meanings, primarily revolving around the concepts of containing and allowing. It can refer to the physical capacity to hold something, as well as the metaphorical capacity to tolerate or accept. Additionally, 容 is often used in contexts related to appearance or looks, such as describing someone's countenance or form.

Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#3906DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of tolerance (容忍) is highly valued, reflecting the importance of harmony in social interactions. The character is often used in discussions about personal relationships and societal norms.

Memory Tip

Imagine a container (the radical 宀 represents a house) that holds various items inside. This container can also allow different things in, much like how a person might tolerate differing opinions. The pronunciation 'róng' can be remembered as 'rong', resembling a round, welcoming shape that holds and embraces.

Meanings of 容

róng(Rong2)
1to hold
2to contain
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 容 means.

About 容

容Simplified
10Strokes
宀Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3906Frequency Rank

Podcast: 容

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Podcast: 容

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AI Study Notes for 容

Quick Contrast

容 (róng) vs 载 (zài) — use 容 when referring to the capacity to contain or tolerate, while 载 specifically emphasizes the act of carrying or loading something.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 容 with similar-sounding characters; the tone is crucial, as 'róng' is pronounced with a rising tone. This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing tolerance or appearance. Common phrases include 容忍 (to tolerate) and 容貌 (appearance).

HSK Study Tips

Though 容 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it aligns with HSK 4 vocabulary focusing on more abstract concepts. Students should pay attention to its various usages and practice combining it with other words to express nuanced meanings in different contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 容 with the character 荣 (róng), which means 'glory' or 'honor.' An incorrect example would be using '荣忍' instead of '容忍' for 'to tolerate.' Always double-check the context to ensure the correct character is used.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 容

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Etymology of 容

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 公 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

roof

Semantic (meaning)宀
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 容?

Decomposition of 容

IDS Structure⿱宀谷
容Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
谷gu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 容?

How to say to hold in Chinese

“to hold” in Chinese is容róng

The character 容 (róng) has multiple meanings, primarily revolving around the concepts of containing and allowing. It can refer to the physical capacity to hold something, as well as the metaphorical capacity to tolerate or accept. Additionally, 容 is often used in contexts related to appearance or looks, such as describing someone's countenance or form.

When to use 容

Be careful not to confuse 容 with similar-sounding characters; the tone is crucial, as 'róng' is pronounced with a rising tone. This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing tolerance or appearance. Common phrases include 容忍 (to tolerate) and 容貌 (appearance).

容 or something close to it

容 (róng) vs 载 (zài) — use 容 when referring to the capacity to contain or tolerate, while 载 specifically emphasizes the act of carrying or loading something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 容 with the character 荣 (róng), which means 'glory' or 'honor.' An incorrect example would be using '荣忍' instead of '容忍' for 'to tolerate.' Always double-check the context to ensure the correct character is used.

Write 容

容

Practice writing 容 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 容

容 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 9 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 4

Fill the gap

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

这个杯子可以____一升水。

This cup can hold one liter of water.

Common Confusions with 容

容vs融
róng

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “to hold”?

or

Example Sentences for 容 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
ato hold4
1
这个杯子可以容一升水。

Zhè gè bēizi kěyǐ róng yī shēng shuǐ.

This cup can hold one liter of water.
2
箱子太小,容不下这么多衣服。

Xiāngzi tài xiǎo, róng bù xià zhème duō yīfu.

The box is too small to hold so many clothes.
3
这个袋子能容十本书。

Zhège dàizi néng róng shí běn shū.

This bag can hold ten books.
4
瓶子里容满了果汁。

Píngzi lǐ róng mǎn le guǒzhī.

The bottle is filled with juice.
asurname Rong12
5
这种稍加变化的可口煎蛋卷做起来又快又容易。

zhè zhǒng shāo jiā biàn huà de kě kǒu jiān dàn juàn zuò qǐ lái yòu kuài yòu róng yì。

This delicious variation on an omelette is quick and easy to prepare.
6
我想你或许想要读一下信封里的内容。

wǒ xiǎng nǐ huò xǔ xiǎng yào dú yī xià xìn fēng lǐ de nèi róng。

I thought you might like to read the enclosed.
7
你要让他参与进来可不容易。

nǐ yào ràng tā cān yǔ jìn lái kě bù róng yì。

It won't be easy for you to draw him in.
8
然后,他忽然露出笑容,说道:“我给你带了一样东西。”

rán hòu, , tā hū rán lòu chū xiào, róng ,:“ shuō dào :“ wǒ gěi nǐ dài le yī。”

Then, breaking into a smile, he said, "I brought you something."
9
不容置疑的事实是,电脑执行逻辑操作指令。

bù róng zhì yí de shì shí shì, , diàn nǎo zhí háng luó jí cāo zuò zhǐ。

The indisputable fact is that computers carry out logical operations.
10
不幸的是,容易感冒是这个行业的职业性风险。

bù xìng de shì, , róng yì gǎn mào shì zhè gè háng yè de zhí yè xìng fēng。

Catching colds is unfortunately an occupational hazard in this profession.
11
15岁的丹尼从地方当局的收容所逃跑了。

15 15 suì de dān ní cóng dì fāng dāng jú de shōu róng suǒ táo pǎo。

Fifteen-year-old Danny is on the run from a local authority home.
12
这并不那么困难,实际上,容易得很。

zhè bìng bù nà mó kùn nán, , shí jì, shàng , róng yì。

It's not that difficult. As a matter of fact, it'squite easy.
13
这种树很容易辨认,因为它有着非常漂亮的银色树皮。

zhè zhǒng shù hěn róng yì biàn rèn, , yīn wéi tā yǒu zháo fēi cháng piāo liàng de yín sè shù。

This tree is always recognizable by its extremely beautiful silvery bark.
14
这包括删除很大一部分不相关的内容。

zhè bāo kuò shān chú hěn dà yī bù fēn bù xiāng guān de nèi róng。

This involved the deletion of a great deal of irrelevant material.
15
我的朋友姓容,他是从上海来的。

Wǒ de péngyǒu xìng Róng, tā shì cóng Shànghǎi lái de.

My friend's surname is Rong, and he is from Shanghai.
16
容先生是我们的中文老师,他教得很好。

Róng xiānshēng shì wǒmen de zhōngwén lǎoshī, tā jiāo de hěn hǎo.

Mr. Rong is our Chinese teacher, and he teaches very well.

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Cultural Notes for 容

💡Did you know?

The character 容 can represent not just physical appearance, but also the demeanor or acceptance of a person. This reflects a cultural value in Chinese society that emphasizes harmony and tolerance in relationships.

Word Family of 容

Compounds16
溶rong2to dissolve
熔rong2mold; to fuse, to melt, to smelt
蓉Rong2lotus, hibiscus; Chengdu, Sichuan
榕rong2banyan tree
镕rong2mold; to fuse, to melt, to smelt
瑢
鰫
傛
塎
嫆
嵱
愹
搈
穃
褣
鎔rong2mold; to fuse, to melt, to smelt
Words Containing This Character20
容易róngyìeasy
内容nèiróngcontent內容
容róngto hold
笑容xiàoróngsmile
形容xíngróngto describe
容忍róngrěnto put up with
美容měiróngto beautify
宽容kuānrónglenient寬容
容量róngliàngcapacity
阵容zhènróngtroop arrangement陣容
容器róngqìreceptacle
好不容易with great difficulty
整容plastic surgery
不容bùróngmust not
包容bāoróngto pardon
从容cóngróngto go easy從容
容纳róngnàto hold容納
容许róngxǔto permit容許
纵容zòngróngto indulge縱容
面容appearance
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 容

What does 溶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 容

容 (róng) generally implies tolerance or allowing something to happen, while 让 (ràng) means to let or give way to someone else. For example, '我容你' (wǒ róng nǐ) means 'I tolerate you', while '我让你' (wǒ ràng nǐ) means 'I let you'. Understanding the context is key to using these words appropriately.

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