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March 24, 2026
揉róu(rou2)
The character 揉 (róu) refers to the action of kneading, massaging, or rubbing something, often with the hands. It is commonly used in the context of preparing dough, providing a massage, or handling objects in a gentle, pressing manner. This word conveys a sense of softness and care in the action performed.
Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#9377DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, traditional massage techniques, such as tui na, often incorporate the concept of 揉 (róu) for therapeutic purposes. It highlights the importance of touch and care in both health and culinary practices, which are valued in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine your hands gently揉 (róu) the dough, as if you are giving it a warm hug. The left side of the character (扌) represents the hand, while the right side (柔) suggests softness, embodying the essence of kneading and massaging with care.
Meanings of 揉
róu(rou2)
1to knead
2to massage
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 揉
揉Simplified
12Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9377Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 揉
Podcast: 揉
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AI Study Notes for 揉
Quick Contrast
揉 (róu) vs 按 (àn) — use 揉 for gentle kneading or massaging, while 按 indicates pressing down firmly.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine your hands gently揉 (róu) the dough, as if you are giving it a warm hug. The left side of the character (扌) represents the hand, while the right side (柔) suggests softness, embodying the essence of kneading and massaging with care.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 揉 (róu) with other similar words like 捏 (niē), which means to pinch. This verb is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in culinary settings or wellness discussions. Remember to use the correct tonal pronunciation as it is crucial for meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 揉 (róu) connects well with other action verbs related to handling and manipulating objects. Focus on its usage in various contexts, such as cooking and personal care, and practice using it with collocations like 揉面 (róu miàn - knead dough) or 揉肩 (róu jiān - massage shoulders).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, traditional massage techniques, such as tui na, often incorporate the concept of 揉 (róu) for therapeutic purposes. It highlights the importance of touch and care in both health and culinary practices, which are valued in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 揉 (róu) with similar verbs like 按 (àn), which means to press. For example, saying '我按面团' (wǒ àn miàntuán) instead of '我揉面团' (wǒ róu miàntuán) is incorrect. Always use 揉 for kneading.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 揉
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Grammar Patterns of 揉
揉 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 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
她把手绢____成一团，丢在了他的脚边。
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet.
Example Sentences for 揉 (10)
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1
她把手绢揉成一团，丢在了他的脚边。
tā bǎ shǒu juàn róu chéng yī tuán， ， diū zài le tā de jiǎo。
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet.
2
劳森写得很好：英文通俗易懂，朴实无华又不矫揉造作。
láo sēn xiě dé hěn hǎo： ： yīng wén tōng sú yì， dǒng ， pǔ shí wú huá yòu bù jiǎo róu。
Lawson writes so well: in plain English, without fuss or affectation.
3
他把那沓纸揉得嚓嚓响。
tā bǎ nà tà zhǐ róu dé cā cā xiǎng。
He crunched the sheets of paper in his hands.
4
她把那张纸在手里揉成一团。
tā bǎ nà zhāng zhǐ zài shǒu lǐ róu chéng yī tuán。
She crumpled the paper in her hand.
5
她把那封信揉成一团扔进了火里。
tā bǎ nà fēng xìn róu chéng yī tuán rēng jìn le huǒ lǐ。
She crumpled the letter up into a ball and threw it on the fire.
6
她那矫揉造作的腔调使我感到难受。
tā nà jiǎo róu zào zuò de qiāng tiáo shǐ wǒ gǎn dào nán shòu。
Her genteel accent irritated me.
7
她揉了揉胳膊，感觉很疼就停下了。
tā róu le róu gē bó， ， gǎn jué hěn téng jiù tíng xià。
She rubbed her arms, but they hurt and she desisted.
Combine the flour with 3 tablespoons water to make a paste.
Cultural Notes for 揉
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, traditional massage techniques, such as tui na, often incorporate the concept of 揉 (róu) for therapeutic purposes. It highlights the importance of touch and care in both health and culinary practices, which are valued in daily life.
Word Family of 揉
Words Containing This Character5
揉róuto knead
揉搓to rub
矫揉造作pretension矯揉造作
搓揉to knead
揉磨to torment
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 揉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 揉
You can use 揉 (róu) when talking about kneading dough, giving or receiving a massage, or even when referring to gently handling a delicate object.
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for conversations about cooking or wellness.
You can connect the pronunciation 'róu' with the action of gently rubbing or kneading, which may help reinforce both the form and meaning.
