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March 24, 2026
敌人(敵人)dírén(di2ren2)
敌人 (dí rén) means 'enemy' and refers to a person or group that opposes or is hostile towards another. This term is commonly used in military, sports, and competitive contexts to denote adversaries. It can also be used metaphorically in personal relationships or business situations.
Frequency#1389DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of an enemy can be deeply tied to historical conflicts, such as wars and rivalries between states, which are often reflected in literature and folklore. The term can also be used in business to describe competitors.
Memory Tip
Think of 敌 (dí) as 'the one who is against' with its radical '戈' (spear) suggesting conflict, and 人 (rén) simply means 'person'. Imagine a soldier with a spear facing off against a person, making it easier to remember that 敌人 is the 'enemy person'.
Meanings of 敌人
dírén(di2ren2)
1enemy
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 敌人
敌人Simplified
敵人Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1389Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 敌人
Podcast: 敌人
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AI Study Notes for 敌人
Quick Contrast
对手 (duìshǒu) - use 敌人 when emphasizing hostility or opposition, while 对手 is more neutral, often used in competitive contexts without implying enmity.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 敌 (dí) as 'the one who is against' with its radical '戈' (spear) suggesting conflict, and 人 (rén) simply means 'person'. Imagine a soldier with a spear facing off against a person, making it easier to remember that 敌人 is the 'enemy person'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 敌人 with 朋友 (péng yǒu), which means 'friend'. This term is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but tends to carry a heavier connotation in serious discussions. Common collocations include '打败敌人' (dǎ bài dí rén) meaning 'defeat the enemy'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, understanding 敌人 connects to broader themes of conflict and competition, which may also include words like 竞争 (jìng zhēng - competition) and 对手 (duì shǒu - opponent). Focus on using it in sentences that express opposition or rivalry.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of an enemy can be deeply tied to historical conflicts, such as wars and rivalries between states, which are often reflected in literature and folklore. The term can also be used in business to describe competitors.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 敌人 in contexts where a less confrontational term is more appropriate, such as calling a business rival 敌人 instead of 对手. Another common error is mispronouncing the tones, leading to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 敌人
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Grammar Patterns of 敌人
敌人 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 2 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
总统谈及了____的奸诈用心。
The President spoke of the treacherous intentions of the enemy.
Example Sentences for 敌人 (10)
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1
总统谈及了敌人的奸诈用心。
zǒng tǒng tán jí le dí rén de jiān zhà yòng xīn。
The President spoke of the treacherous intentions of the enemy.
The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.
Cultural Notes for 敌人
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of an enemy can be deeply tied to historical conflicts, such as wars and rivalries between states, which are often reflected in literature and folklore. The term can also be used in business to describe competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions about 敌人
Yes, but it's more common in specific contexts like sports, politics, or discussions about competition.
While it can technically be used, it's better to use 对手 (duì shǒu) for a more neutral term in friendly contexts.
The opposite of 敌人 is 朋友 (péng yǒu), which means 'friend'.
