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认 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
认rènto recognizeHSK 5, v, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #2080, Medium
认rènto knowHSK 5, v, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #2080, Medium
认rènto admitHSK 5, v, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #2080, Medium
认rènto know, to recognize, to understandHSK 5, v, 4 strokes, radical 讠, rank #2080, Medium
rèn(ren4) T4
  1. 1to recognize
  2. 2to know
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
认(認)rèn(ren4)

The character 认 (rèn) primarily means 'to recognize' or 'to know'. It is commonly used in contexts where one acknowledges or admits something, such as recognizing a person or understanding a concept. This character is also often associated with the idea of admitting to a mistake or knowledge.

Strokes4Radical讠Frequency#2080DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, recognizing and admitting one's mistakes is valued as a sign of maturity and integrity, often reflected in traditional sayings that emphasize the importance of self-awareness and acknowledgment.

Memory Tip

Think of 认 (rèn) as a person recognizing a friend (the radical 亻 represents a person) and saying, 'Yes, I know you!' The character's form symbolizes a meeting between recognition (认) and acknowledgment (如), making it easier to remember the meaning.

Meanings of 认

rèn(ren4)
1to recognize
2to know
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 认

认Simplified
認Traditional
4Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2080Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 认

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Podcast: 认

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AI Study Notes for 认

Quick Contrast

认 (rèn) vs 知 (zhī) — choose 认 when emphasizing acknowledgment or recognition, while 知 focuses on knowledge or understanding.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 认 (rèn) as a person recognizing a friend (the radical 亻 represents a person) and saying, 'Yes, I know you!' The character's form symbolizes a meeting between recognition (认) and acknowledgment (如), making it easier to remember the meaning.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 认 with 认识 (rènshi), which means 'to know someone' rather than just recognizing something. Use 认 in more formal or written contexts when referring to acknowledgment, while 认识 is more informal and personal. Pay attention to the tone; 认 is pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 认 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with HSK Level 2 vocabulary like 认识 (rènshi). Students should focus on using 认 in sentences that express acknowledgment or recognition, thereby enhancing their speaking and comprehension skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, recognizing and admitting one's mistakes is valued as a sign of maturity and integrity, often reflected in traditional sayings that emphasize the importance of self-awareness and acknowledgment.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 认 when one means to say 'to know someone'—instead, use 认识. For example, saying '我认他' (wǒ rèn tā) instead of '我认识他' (wǒ rènshi tā) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 认

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Etymology of 认

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

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 人 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

speech

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 认?

Decomposition of 认

IDS Structure⿰讠人
认Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
人ren2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 认?

Write 认

认

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 认

认 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她是我在学校____识的朋友。

She is a friend I met at school.

Example Sentences for 认 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我不得不承认自己的字写得不好看。

wǒ bù dé bù chéng rèn zì jǐ de zì xiě dé bù hǎo kàn。

I have to admit that I have bad handwriting.
2
我认为长期伏案的生活一点也不适合我。

wǒ rèn wéi cháng qī fú àn de shēng huó yī diǎn yě bù shì hé wǒ。

I don't think a sedentary life would altogether suit me.
3
我认为像慢跑、举重这样的运动不符合自然规律。

wǒ rèn wéi xiàng màn pǎo、 、 jǔ zhòng zhè yàng de yùn dòng bù fú hé zì rán guī。

I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
4
我误认为他要娶我。

wǒ wù rèn wéi tā yào qǔ wǒ。

I was under the delusion that he intended to marry me.
5
有时事情并不像我们认为的那样发展。

yǒu shí shì qíng bìng bù xiàng wǒ mén rèn wéi de nà yàng fā zhǎn。

Sometimes things don't turn out the way we think they're going to.
6
我认为你自己就有些过于盛气凌人。

wǒ rèn wéi nǐ zì jǐ jiù yǒu xiē guò yú shèng qì líng rén。

I think you're a bit too high and mighty yourself.
7
我认为你应该暂时停止踢足球。

wǒ rèn wéi nǐ yīng gāi zàn shí tíng zhǐ tī zú qiú。

I think you ought to give football a rest for a time.
8
从政治角度来说，你认为这些举措有效吗？

cóng zhèng zhì jiǎo dù lái shuō， ， nǐ rèn wéi zhè xiē jǔ cuò yǒu xiào？

Politically speaking, do you think that these moves have been effective?
9
“他怎么认识你母亲的？”——“我不知道。”

“ “ tā zěn mó rèn shí nǐ mǔ qīn？”——“ de ？”——“ wǒ bù。”

"How did he meet your mother?" — "I don't know."
10
你需要培养的关键技能就是让那些家长认错。

nǐ xū yào péi yǎng de guān jiàn jì néng jiù shì ràng nà xiē jiā cháng rèn cuò。

The crucial skill you need to develop is sorting out the parents.

Cultural Notes for 认

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, recognizing and admitting one's mistakes is valued as a sign of maturity and integrity, often reflected in traditional sayings that emphasize the importance of self-awareness and acknowledgment.

Word Family of 认

Words Containing This Character20
认为rènwéito believe認為
认识rènshito know認識
认真rènzhēnearnest認真
承认chéngrènto admit承認
确认quèrènto confirm確認
认rènto know認
否认fǒurènto deny否認
认定rèndìngto determine (a fact)認定
认可rènkěto approve認可
认证rènzhèngto approve認證
认出rènchūrecognition認出
认同rèntóngto approve of認同
认知rènzhīcognition認知
认购to undertake to purchase sth認購
认得rèndeto recognize認得
认罪to admit guilt認罪
公认gōngrènaccepted (as)公認
辨认biànrènto recognize辨認
认错rèncuòto admit an error認錯
认输to concede認輸
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 认为 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 认

认 means 'to recognize' or 'to admit', while 认识 refers to 'to know someone' or 'to be acquainted with someone'.