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入 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
入rùto enterHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùto go intoHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùto joinHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùto become a member ofHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùto confirm or agree withHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùabbr. for 入聲HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rù>入声[rù shēng]HSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùto enter, to come in; to joinHSK 4, v, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
入rùabbr. for 入聲|入声[ru4 sheng1]HSK 4, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 入, rank #1139, Hard
rù(ru4) T4
  1. 1to enter
  2. 2to go into
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
入rù(ru4)

The character 入 (rù) means 'to enter' or 'to go into.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as physically entering a place, joining a group, or confirming a statement. This character is foundational in Mandarin, often appearing in phrases and compound words related to entry or involvement.

Strokes2Radical入Frequency#1139DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, entering a home often involves customs such as removing shoes, symbolizing respect for the space. The act of entering can also signify acceptance into a community or family, highlighting the importance of belonging.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person stepping through a doorway (the shape of 入 resembles a person entering a space). Think of the sound 'rù' as a whisper inviting you to come in—'rù' sounds like 'root,' suggesting you are rooting yourself in a new place or group.

Meanings of 入

rù(ru4)
1to enter
2to go into
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 入

入Simplified
2Strokes
入Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1139Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 入

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Podcast: 入

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AI Study Notes for 入

Quick Contrast

进 (jìn) vs 进入 (jìnrù) — use 入 for a more general or abstract sense of entering, while 进 emphasizes the action of moving forward into a space.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person stepping through a doorway (the shape of 入 resembles a person entering a space). Think of the sound 'rù' as a whisper inviting you to come in—'rù' sounds like 'root,' suggesting you are rooting yourself in a new place or group.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing 入 with 进 (jìn), which also means 'to enter' but has a slightly different nuance (more about moving into a space). 入 is often used in a more general or formal context. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is rù (falling tone), not rú (rising tone).

HSK Study Tips

Though 入 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other basic verbs like 出 (chū, to go out) and 进 (jìn, to enter). Students should practice using 入 in sentences to reinforce its meaning and context.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, entering a home often involves customs such as removing shoes, symbolizing respect for the space. The act of entering can also signify acceptance into a community or family, highlighting the importance of belonging.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 入 when talking about entering a building, mistakenly using 进 instead. For example, saying '我入商店' (Wǒ rù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我进商店' (Wǒ jìn shāngdiàn).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 入

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Etymology of 入

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Origin unclear. Variously explained a a pictograph of an entrance to a tent, or an arrow pointing forward.

Memory Hint

An arrow indicating "enter"

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 入?

Write 入

入

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

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Grammar Patterns of 入

入 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 9 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

我们由南门进____公园。

We enter the park from the south gate.

Common Confusions with 入

入vs出
chū

Both refer to movement but in opposite directions.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to enter"?

or

Example Sentences for 入 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我屏住呼吸沉入水底。

wǒ píng zhù hū xī chén rù shuǐ dǐ。

I held my breath and sank under the water.
2
非常感谢您的体贴入微，我真的无以言表。

fēi cháng gǎn xiè nín de tǐ tiē rù wēi， ， wǒ zhēn de wú yǐ yán。

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
3
我来给旅馆打电话，通知他们我们明天入住。

wǒ lái gěi lǚ guǎn dǎ diàn huà， ， tōng zhī tā mén wǒ mén míng tiān rù。

I'll ring the hotel. I'll tell them we'll check in tomorrow.
4
现在夫妻双方分别按各自的收入纳税。

xiàn zài fū qī shuāng fāng fēn bié àn gè zì de shōu rù nà shuì。

Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes.
5
每场初赛的获胜者进入决赛。

měi cháng chū sài de huò shèng zhě jìn rù jué sài。

The winner of each preliminary goes through to the final.
6
他们时常陷入枯燥的日常事务之中。

tā mén shí cháng xiàn rù kū zào de rì cháng shì wù zhī zhōng。

All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
7
同时，把碗置于微沸的水上，将白巧克力放入碗中使其熔化。

tóng shí， ， bǎ wǎn zhì yú wēi fèi de shuǐ， shàng ， jiāng bái qiǎo kè lì fàng rù wǎn zhōng shǐ qí。

Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a bowl suspended over simmering water.
8
要确保每天的钙摄入量。

yào què bǎo měi tiān de gài shè rù liáng。

Be sure you get your daily quota of calcium.
9
人群为了被视为最值得拥有的物品涌入屋里。

rén qún wéi le bèi shì wéi zuì zhí dé yōng yǒu de wù pǐn yǒng rù wū lǐ。

The crowd moved indoors for what were deemed the most desirable items.
10
不断有人提醒我们要减少脂肪的摄入量。

bù duàn yǒu rén tí xǐng wǒ mén yào jiǎn shǎo zhī fáng de shè rù liáng。

We are constantly being reminded to cut down our fat intake.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

I held my breath and sank under the water.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Cultural Notes for 入

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, entering a new space often holds significance. For example, when entering a home, it's common to say '请进' (please enter), showing hospitality and respect.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, entering a home often involves customs such as removing shoes, symbolizing respect for the space. The act of entering can also signify acceptance into a community or family, highlighting the importance of belonging.

Word Family of 入

Compounds17
全Quan2surname Quan
內nei4inside
肏
兪
汆cuan1to parboil; to boil; a kettle of hot water
籴di2to purchase grain; to store grain
込
兦
兩liang3two, both, pair, couple; ounce
叺
圦
屳
扖
杁
釞
魞
鳰
Words Containing This Character20
进入jìnrùto enter進入
入rùto enter
加入jiārùto join
收入shōurùto take in
投入tóurùto throw into
深入shēnrùthorough
陷入xiànrùto sink into
入侵rùqīnto invade
输入shūrùto import輸入
入口rùkǒuentrance
介入jièrùto intervene
闯入to intrude闖入
注入zhùrùto pour into
侵入to invade
纳入nàrùto bring into納入
卷入juǎnrùto be drawn into捲入
列入lièrùto include on a list
融入róngrùto blend into
引入yǐnrùto draw into
入睡to fall asleep
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 全 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 入

Common phrases that include 入 are '进入' (jìnrù), meaning 'to enter,' and '入境' (rùjìng), meaning 'to enter a country.' These phrases are used in various contexts, including travel and everyday conversation.