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荏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
荏rěnherb, mint; soft, pliablev, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #58275, Very Hard
荏rěnbeefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #58275, Very Hard
荏rěnweakunknown, 9 strokes, radical 艹, rank #58275, Very Hard
rěn(ren3) T3
  1. 1herb, mint; soft, pliable
  2. 2beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

荏rěn(ren3)

The character 荏 (rěn) primarily refers to a type of herb, specifically the beefsteak plant, also known as perilla or mint. It can also describe something that is soft or pliable, conveying a sense of gentleness or weakness, often used in contexts related to texture or character.

Strokes9Radical艹Frequency#58275DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, herbs like 荏 (perilla) are valued for their health benefits and are often used in cooking and herbal remedies, reflecting the importance of natural ingredients in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a soft, green herb swaying gently in the breeze, representing the character 荏. The left part of the character (艹) looks like grass, emphasizing its connection to herbs, while the right part (忍) hints at 'enduring' or 'tolerating,' suggesting the softness or pliability of the plant.

Meanings of 荏

rěn(ren3)
1herb, mint; soft, pliable
2beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 荏

荏Simplified
9Strokes
艹Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 荏

JasonAmy

Podcast: 荏

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AI Study Notes for 荏

Usage Notes

荏 (rěn) is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Learners should be aware of its specific meaning as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is often paired with other characters related to plants or softness.

HSK Study Tips

Although 荏 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding this character can enhance your knowledge of plant-related terms, which may appear in advanced readings. Focus on recognizing the character's components and its association with herbs.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 荏 with similar characters like 忍 (rěn), which means 'to endure.' It's important to remember that 荏 specifically relates to herbs and softness. For example, saying 荏 means 'to endure' is incorrect; use 忍 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 荏

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Etymology of 荏

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

herb

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)任
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 荏

  1. 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half任 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayherb
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 荏? 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 荏?

Decomposition of 荏

IDS Structure⿱艹任
荏Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
任Ren4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 荏?

How to say herb, mint; soft, pliable in Chinese

“herb, mint; soft, pliable” in Chinese is荏rěn

The character 荏 (rěn) primarily refers to a type of herb, specifically the beefsteak plant, also known as perilla or mint. It can also describe something that is soft or pliable, conveying a sense of gentleness or weakness, often used in contexts related to texture or character.

When to use 荏

荏 (rěn) is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Learners should be aware of its specific meaning as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is often paired with other characters related to plants or softness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 荏 with similar characters like 忍 (rěn), which means 'to endure.' It's important to remember that 荏 specifically relates to herbs and softness. For example, saying 荏 means 'to endure' is incorrect; use 忍 instead.

Write 荏

荏

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 荏

Words Containing This Character3
荏rěnsoft
荏苒(literary) (of time) to slip away
色厉内荏a sheep in wolf's clothing色厲內荏
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 荏 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 荏

荏 refers to perilla, which is commonly used in various Asian dishes for its distinct flavor and aroma.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 荏?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.