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朊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
朊ruǎnproteing, 8 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #45995, Very Hard
ruǎn(ruan3) T3
  1. 1protein
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March 24, 2026

朊ruǎn(ruan3)

The character 朊 (ruǎn) refers to 'protein', which is an essential macromolecule found in all living organisms. It plays a crucial role in biological processes, serving as a building block for cells and tissues. The term is often used in scientific and nutritional contexts, particularly in discussions about diet and health.

Strokes8Radical⺼Frequency#45995DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, proteins play a vital role, with dishes often centered around meat, tofu, and legumes. The importance of protein in maintaining health is reflected in traditional Chinese medicine, which emphasizes a balanced diet.

Memory Tip

Imagine a soft, squishy protein structure that resembles a pillow (朊). The radical '木' (wood) at the bottom suggests something that can grow and support life, while the top part resembles a soft, flowing form. Think of 'ruǎn' as 'soft' in sound, linking it to the softness of certain proteins like gelatin.

Meanings of 朊

ruǎn(ruan3)
1protein
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 朊

朊Simplified
8Strokes
⺼Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 朊

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Podcast: 朊

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AI Study Notes for 朊

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 朊 in everyday conversation, as it is primarily used in scientific contexts rather than casual dialogue. Common collocations include phrases about dietary proteins or scientific discussions about amino acids. Avoid confusing it with other food-related terms that are not specific to proteins.

HSK Study Tips

As 朊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, focus on related terms like 蛋白质 (dànbáizhì - protein) to build your understanding. This character may appear in advanced studies, particularly in health sciences, so familiarize yourself with its usage in academic texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 朊 with similar-sounding characters like 软 (ruǎn - soft), leading to misuse in context. Remember that 朊 specifically refers to proteins, while 软 describes texture.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 朊

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Etymology of 朊

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

meat

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

Origin

朊 = ⺼ + 元. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 朊

IDS Structure⿰⺼元
朊Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
元Yuan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 朊?

How to say protein in Chinese

“protein” in Chinese is朊ruǎn

The character 朊 (ruǎn) refers to 'protein', which is an essential macromolecule found in all living organisms. It plays a crucial role in biological processes, serving as a building block for cells and tissues. The term is often used in scientific and nutritional contexts, particularly in discussions about diet and health.

When to use 朊

Be cautious when using 朊 in everyday conversation, as it is primarily used in scientific contexts rather than casual dialogue. Common collocations include phrases about dietary proteins or scientific discussions about amino acids. Avoid confusing it with other food-related terms that are not specific to proteins.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 朊 with similar-sounding characters like 软 (ruǎn - soft), leading to misuse in context. Remember that 朊 specifically refers to proteins, while 软 describes texture.

Write 朊

朊

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

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Word Family of 朊

Words Containing This Character1
朊ruǎnprotein

Frequently Asked Questions about 朊

No, 朊 is primarily used in scientific or nutritional contexts, rather than in casual conversation.

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