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遴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
línto select, to choose; surnamev, 15 strokes, radical 辶, Very Hard
línsurname Linunknown, 15 strokes, radical 辶, Very Hard
lín(Lin2) T2
  1. 1to select, to choose; surname
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March 24, 2026
lín(Lin2)

The character 遴 (lín) means 'to select' or 'to choose.' It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in government or organizational settings where decisions are made regarding personnel or options. Additionally, it can also be a surname in Chinese culture.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, 遴 has been associated with imperial examinations, where officials were selected based on merit. This reflects the importance of selection processes in governance and societal structure in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing at a crossroads (the character 遴 looks like a person at a fork), carefully deciding which path to take (selecting a route), and saying 'lin' as they make their choice. The radical 辶 (walking) signifies movement, reinforcing the idea of making a selection.

Meanings of 遴

lín(Lin2)
1to select, to choose; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 遴

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 遴

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 遴

Quick Contrast

挑 (tiāo) — use 遴 (lín) for formal selections, while 挑 (tiāo) is more casual or implies a preference.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person standing at a crossroads (the character 遴 looks like a person at a fork), carefully deciding which path to take (selecting a route), and saying 'lin' as they make their choice. The radical 辶 (walking) signifies movement, reinforcing the idea of making a selection.

Usage Notes

Be cautious as 遴 is a formal term and might not be suitable for everyday conversation. It is often paired with terms related to recruitment or selection processes, such as 遴选 (línxuǎn), meaning 'to select' or 'to choose from a group.' Watch out for mispronunciation, particularly confusing it with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 遴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to selection or choice, such as 选择 (xuǎnzé). Students at higher HSK levels should focus on understanding the nuances of formal vocabulary and its proper contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, 遴 has been associated with imperial examinations, where officials were selected based on merit. This reflects the importance of selection processes in governance and societal structure in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遴 with similar characters like 选 (xuǎn), which means 'to choose' in a broader sense. Remember that 遴 implies a more formal selection process, so using it in casual situations is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遴

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Etymology of 遴

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

walk

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 遴?

Decomposition of 遴

IDS Structure⿺辶粦
Full Character
=
chuo4
enclosing
lin2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 遴?

Write 遴

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

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Grammar Patterns of 遴

遴 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 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 2

Complete the Sentence

“我认为错在那些____选者,”他说。

"I blame the selectors," quoth he.

Example Sentences for 遴 (1)

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1
“我认为错在那些遴选者,”他说。

“ “ wǒ rèn wéi cuò zài nà xiē lín xuǎn,” zhě ,”。

"I blame the selectors," quoth he.

Cultural Notes for 遴

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, 遴 has been associated with imperial examinations, where officials were selected based on merit. This reflects the importance of selection processes in governance and societal structure in Chinese culture.

Word Family of 遴

Words Containing This Character2
遴选to pick遴選
línsurname Lin
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 遴选 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 遴

No, 遴 is more formal and is typically used in official contexts.