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揉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
揉
róu
to knead
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9377, Very Hard
揉
róu
to massage
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9377, Very Hard
揉
róu
to rub
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9377, Very Hard
揉
róu
to massage, to knead; to crush by hand
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9377, Very Hard
róu(rou2)rou T2
1to knead
2to massage
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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#9377DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
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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.
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).
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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Knowing 揉 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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.
When to use 揉
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.
揉 or something close to it
揉 (róu) vs 按 (àn) — use 揉 for gentle kneading or massaging, while 按 indicates pressing down firmly.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 揉
揉
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Practice writing 揉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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 bǎshou juàn róu chéng yī tuán， diū zài le tā de jiǎo biān。
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet.
