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March 24, 2026
人类(人類)rénlèi(ren2lei4)
人类 (rénlèi) refers to the collective group of humans, encompassing all people and the concept of humanity as a whole. It is commonly used in discussions about social issues, ethics, and the future of human existence, emphasizing our shared characteristics and responsibilities.
Strokes11Frequency#808DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 人类 is often referenced in Chinese literature and philosophy, particularly in discussions about harmonious living and the responsibilities of humanity towards nature and each other, reflecting a deep-rooted cultural value of collective well-being.
Memory Tip
Think of 人 (rén) as a person standing upright and 类 (lèi) as a collection of people or types. Imagine a gathering of diverse individuals representing the entire human race, and remember that '人类' is about all of us together.
Meanings of 人类
rénlèi(ren2lei4)
1humanity
2human race
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About 人类
人类Simplified
人類Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#808Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 人类
Podcast: 人类
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AI Study Notes for 人类
Quick Contrast
人 (rén) refers to an individual person, while 人类 (rénlèi) refers to humanity as a collective group.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; the second character 类 must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in academic discussions or literature.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, understanding 人类 will help you connect with vocabulary related to society and philosophy. Focus on using it in sentences about human rights, environmental issues, or global challenges to enhance your conversational skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 人类 with similar terms like 人 (rén) which means 'person' rather than 'humanity'. For example, saying '人类是一个人' (rénlèi shì yī gè rén) is incorrect; it should be '人类是人类' (rénlèi shì rénlèi) to emphasize the concept of humanity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 人类
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人类 (rénlèi) refers to the collective group of humans, encompassing all people and the concept of humanity as a whole. It is commonly used in discussions about social issues, ethics, and the future of human existence, emphasizing our shared characteristics and responsibilities.
When to use 人类
Be cautious with the tone; the second character 类 must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in academic discussions or literature.
人类 or something close to it
人 (rén) refers to an individual person, while 人类 (rénlèi) refers to humanity as a collective group.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 人类 with similar terms like 人 (rén) which means 'person' rather than 'humanity'. For example, saying '人类是一个人' (rénlèi shì yī gè rén) is incorrect; it should be '人类是人类' (rénlèi shì rénlèi) to emphasize the concept of humanity.
Write 人类
人
类
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Grammar Patterns of 人类
人类 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.
