Meanings of 人
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Podcast: 人
Podcast: 人
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AI Study Notes for 人
个 (gè) — use '人' when referring specifically to a person or people, while '个' is a measure word for counting nouns.
Imagine a person standing upright with arms slightly outstretched. The shape of '人' resembles a person in a relaxed pose, which helps you remember that it means 'person'. The pronunciation 'rén' can be linked to 'run', as in a person running.
'人' is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile. Common collocations include '人们' (rénmen, people) and '一个人' (yī gè rén, one person). Be careful with the tone; '人' must be pronounced with a rising tone 'rén' to avoid confusion with other characters.
As an HSK Level 1 word, '人' is foundational for learners. It connects well with other basic vocabulary about family, occupation, and social interactions. Students should focus on recognizing and using this character in simple sentences.
In Chinese culture, the concept of '人' extends beyond the individual to emphasize community and collective identity. The importance of social relationships is often reflected in proverbs and sayings that include the character '人'.
Learners often confuse '人' with '仁' (rén), which means benevolence. For example, using '仁' when referring to a person is incorrect; the correct character is '人'.
Pronunciation of 人
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Etymology of 人
Pictograph of the side view of a person.
The legs of a human being
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 人?
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Grammar Patterns of 人
人 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 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.
Complete the Sentence
他北京____。
He is from Beijing.
Common Confusions with 人
Similar in shape and pronunciation, but different meanings.
Similar in sound but has a different meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "man"?
Example Sentences for 人 (10)
Cultural Notes for 人
The character '人' represents a person and is depicted as two legs. In ancient times, it symbolized the movement of humans, emphasizing the importance of individuals in society.
In Chinese culture, the concept of '人' extends beyond the individual to emphasize community and collective identity. The importance of social relationships is often reflected in proverbs and sayings that include the character '人'.
In many cultures, the concept of '人' is fundamental. For instance, in Western cultures, 'human rights' emphasize the dignity and worth of each person, similar to the value placed on individuals in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 人
Compound Meaning
What does 个 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 人
Some common phrases that include 人 (rén) are '人们' (rénmen), which means 'people' or 'the public,' and '人际关系' (rénjì guānxì), meaning 'interpersonal relationships.' These phrases illustrate how the character is used in everyday conversation.