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润 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
润
rùn
to moisten
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
to lubricate
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
to embellish
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
moist
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
glossy
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
sleek
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
润
rùn
fresh, moist; soft, sleek
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10169, Very Hard
rùn(run4)run T4
1to moisten
2to lubricate
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March 24, 2026
润(潤)rùn(run4)
The character 润 (rùn) primarily means 'to moisten' or 'to lubricate.' It is commonly used in contexts involving liquids that enhance texture or appearance, such as in cooking or beauty products. Additionally, it can imply embellishing language or writing to make it more elegant or refined.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#10169DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
润 is often used in traditional Chinese writing to describe poetic language that flows smoothly and elegantly. It reflects the cultural appreciation for aesthetics in both literature and art, emphasizing the importance of presentation.
Memory tip
Imagine a shiny, slick surface that has just been coated with a layer of moisture. The character 润 has the water radical 水 (shui) on the left, reminding you of moisture, while the right side resembles a smooth, glossy surface. Picture a 'runny' sauce that makes food more appealing!
Meanings of 润
rùn(run4)
1to moisten
2to lubricate
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 润 means.
About 润
润Simplified
潤Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#10169Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 润
Podcast: 润
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AI study notes for 润
Quick Contrast
润 (rùn) vs 湿 (shī) — choose 润 for contexts involving enhancement or refinement, while 湿 refers specifically to moisture or dampness.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 润 with 润滑 (rùnhuá), which specifically means 'to lubricate.' This character is more versatile and can also refer to embellishment in writing. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious of its tone when discussing delicate matters.
HSK Study Tips
While 润 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to other HSK words related to water and texture, such as 水 (shuǐ, water) and 光滑 (guānghuá, smooth). Focus on its various meanings to build a richer vocabulary around sensory descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 润 with 幽 (yōu), which means 'quiet or secluded.' For example, saying '润的地方' (a moist place) when they mean '幽静的地方' (a quiet place) can lead to misunderstandings. Always clarify the context when using 润.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 润
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 润 is seven skills, not one.
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.
润 = 氵 + 闰. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 润
IDS Structure⿰氵闰
润Full character
=
氵shui3
left
闰run4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 润?
How to say to moisten in Chinese
“to moisten” in Chinese is润rùn
The character 润 (rùn) primarily means 'to moisten' or 'to lubricate.' It is commonly used in contexts involving liquids that enhance texture or appearance, such as in cooking or beauty products. Additionally, it can imply embellishing language or writing to make it more elegant or refined.
When to use 润
A common mistake is confusing 润 with 润滑 (rùnhuá), which specifically means 'to lubricate.' This character is more versatile and can also refer to embellishment in writing. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious of its tone when discussing delicate matters.
润 or something close to it
润 (rùn) vs 湿 (shī) — choose 润 for contexts involving enhancement or refinement, while 湿 refers specifically to moisture or dampness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 润 with 幽 (yōu), which means 'quiet or secluded.' For example, saying '润的地方' (a moist place) when they mean '幽静的地方' (a quiet place) can lead to misunderstandings. Always clarify the context when using 润.
Write 润
润
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Practice writing 润 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 润
润 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 7 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.
