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March 24, 2026
人物rénwù(ren2wu4)
人物 (rénwù) refers to a person or character, often in the context of literature, film, or drama. It can denote the protagonist or significant figures in stories and narratives, highlighting their roles and traits. This term is commonly used in discussions about character development and analysis.
Strokes10Frequency#1400DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and cinema, the development of 人物 is crucial for storytelling, often reflecting moral lessons or societal values. Characters may embody specific traits that resonate with traditional Chinese philosophies.
Memory Tip
Think of 人 (rén) as a person and 物 (wù) as a thing or entity; together they form 'person-entity.' Imagine a play where each character is a unique entity with their own story, making it easier to remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 人物
rénwù(ren2wu4)
1person
2character (in a play, novel etc)
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About 人物
人物Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1400Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 人物
Podcast: 人物
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AI Study Notes for 人物
Quick Contrast
角色 (juésè) vs 人物 (rénwù): 角色 specifically refers to a role or character in a performance, while 人物 is a broader term that can refer to any person or character in various contexts.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 人物 (rénwù) with simply 人 (rén), which means 'person.' While 人物 can refer to individuals in real life, it is often used for characters in stories, so ensure context is clear. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 人物 connects well with other vocabulary related to literature and storytelling, such as 故事 (gùshì, story) and 角色 (juésè, role). Focus on using it in sentences that discuss characters in books or films to reinforce its meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 人物 when discussing non-character entities, saying '人物' instead of '东西' (dōngxī, thing). Remember, 人物 is specifically for characters or people in narratives.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 人物
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人物 (rénwù) refers to a person or character, often in the context of literature, film, or drama. It can denote the protagonist or significant figures in stories and narratives, highlighting their roles and traits. This term is commonly used in discussions about character development and analysis.
When to use 人物
Be careful not to confuse 人物 (rénwù) with simply 人 (rén), which means 'person.' While 人物 can refer to individuals in real life, it is often used for characters in stories, so ensure context is clear. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts.
人物 or something close to it
角色 (juésè) vs 人物 (rénwù): 角色 specifically refers to a role or character in a performance, while 人物 is a broader term that can refer to any person or character in various contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 人物 when discussing non-character entities, saying '人物' instead of '东西' (dōngxī, thing). Remember, 人物 is specifically for characters or people in narratives.
Write 人物
人
物
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Grammar Patterns of 人物
人物 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 3 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.
