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March 24, 2026
晋(晉)jìn(Jin4)
The character 晋 (jìn) primarily refers to a Chinese surname and is associated with several historical Jin dynasties. It can also mean to advance or promote in various contexts, such as in career or personal growth. In addition, 晋 serves as a short name for Shanxi province, which is significant in Chinese geography.
Strokes10Radical日Frequency#22607DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
晋 is closely linked to the Jin dynasties, which played a critical role in Chinese history, particularly in the context of the Three Kingdoms period. This historical significance is often referenced in literature and popular media, making it a culturally rich term.
Memory tip
Imagine a person named Jin (晋) who is always moving forward, like a running river (the character has a flowing appearance). The left part resembles a river flowing forward, while the right part can be seen as a person advancing toward a goal, helping you remember both the meaning (to advance) and pronunciation (jìn).
Meanings of 晋
jìn(Jin4)
1Western Jin 西晉
2short name for Shanxi province 山西[Shān xī]
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 晋 means.
About 晋
晋Simplified
晉Traditional
10Strokes
日Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#22607Frequency Rank
Podcast: 晋
Podcast: 晋
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AI study notes for 晋
Usage Notes
晋 is often used in formal contexts when discussing history or geography, but can also be used in everyday language when talking about progress. Common collocations include 晋升 (to promote) and 晋级 (to advance to a higher level). Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
For learners at a higher level, focus on the historical context of 晋 and its usage in formal discussions about Chinese history. Connecting this character to other historical terms can enhance understanding. Consider practicing its pronunciation alongside other 'j' sounds to differentiate them.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 晋 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, such as 进 (jìn), which means 'to enter.' An incorrect example would be using 晋 when referring to entering a place, where 进 is the correct term.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 晋
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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.
The character 晋 (jìn) primarily refers to a Chinese surname and is associated with several historical Jin dynasties. It can also mean to advance or promote in various contexts, such as in career or personal growth. In addition, 晋 serves as a short name for Shanxi province, which is significant in Chinese geography.
When to use 晋
晋 is often used in formal contexts when discussing history or geography, but can also be used in everyday language when talking about progress. Common collocations include 晋升 (to promote) and 晋级 (to advance to a higher level). Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 晋 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, such as 进 (jìn), which means 'to enter.' An incorrect example would be using 晋 when referring to entering a place, where 进 is the correct term.
Write 晋
晋
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Grammar patterns of 晋
晋 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 12 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 3
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
蒙博托出身行伍，通过一级级____升，最终成为了陆军司令。
Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
Example sentences for 晋 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
蒙博托出身行伍，通过一级级晋升，最终成为了陆军司令。
mēng bó tuō chūshēn xíng Wǔ， tōngguò yī jí jí jìnshēng， zuìzhōng chéngwéi le lùjūn sīlìng。
Mobutu ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming commander of the army.
2
她声称在晋升时自己被一次又一次地排除在外。
tā shēngchēng zài jìnshēng shí zìjǐ bèi yī cì yòu yī cì dì páichú zài wài。
She claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotion.
It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.
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Word Family of 晋
Compounds2
戬jiǎnto exterminate, to destroy; blessing
缙jìnred silk
Words containing this character20
晋级jìnjípromotion晉級
晋jìnsurname Jin晉
晋升jìnshēngto promote to a higher position晉升
晋江jìnjiāngJinjiang county level city in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian晉江
魏晋wèijìnWei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) dynasties魏晉
安倍晋三ānbèijìnsānAbe Shinzo (1954-), Japanese LDP politician, prime minister 2006-2007 and from 2012安倍晉三
东晋dōngjìnEastern Jin dynasty 317-420東晉
晋江市jìnjiāngshìJinjiang county level city in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian晉江市
晋见jìnjiànto have an audience with晉見
晋城jìnchéngJincheng prefecture-level city in Shanxi 山西晉城
福晋fújìnin Qing dynasty, Manchurian word for wife福晉
西晋xījìnWestern Jin dynasty (265-316)西晉
晋中jìnzhōngJinzhong prefecture-level city in Shanxi 山西晉中
晋察冀jìnchájìShanxi 山西, Chahar 察哈爾|察哈尔 and Hebei 河北 (three provinces of the Republic of China in the period 1912-1936)晉察冀
晋城市jìnchéngshìJincheng prefecture-level city in Shanxi 山西晉城市
晋书jìnshūHistory of the Jin Dynasty, fifth of the 24 dynastic histories 二十四史[ErshísìShǐ], compiled under Fang Xuanling 房玄齡|房玄龄[FángXuánlíng] in 648 during Tang Dynasty 唐朝[Tángcháo], 130 scrolls晉書
晋州jìnzhōuJinzhou county-level city in Hebei晉州
晋代jìndàiJin Dynasty (265-420)晉代
晋中市jìnzhōngshìJinzhong prefecture-level city in Shanxi 山西晉中市
后晋hòujìnLater Jin of the Five Dynasties (936-946)後晉
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 晋
What does 戬 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 晋
In modern usage, 晋 often refers to the idea of advancement, such as in promotions at work or personal development.
Yes, 晋 is a recognized surname in China, though it may not be as common as others like Zhang or Li.
In historical discussions, 晋 is frequently mentioned in relation to the Jin dynasties, especially the Western and Eastern Jin periods.
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