润

潤

rùn

氵 + 闰

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

rùn (verb) to moisten; to lubricate

rùn (adjective) moist; glossy; sleek

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 闰 represents the sound. Simplified form of 潤.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 闰

About

The character 润 (traditional: 潤) combines the water radical 氵 on the left, linking it to liquids and moisture, with the right component 闰 (traditional: 閏), which provides the pronunciation. Its core meaning relates to physical dampness, lubrication, or smoothing something with liquid. Over time, this sense expanded to include gaining profit or wealth, as well as enriching or embellishing written language.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

雨水润湿了泥土。

Yǔshuǐ rùnshīle nítǔ.

Rain moistened the soil.

他润色了这篇文章。

Tā rùnsèle zhè piān wénzhāng.

He polished this article.

润滑油让机器更顺畅。

Rùnhuáyóu ràng jīqì gèng shùnchàng.

Lubricant makes the machine run smoother.

滋润的面霜对皮肤好。

Zīrùn de miànshuāng duì pífū hǎo.

Moisturizing cream is good for the skin.

喝蜂蜜水可以润喉。

Hē fēngmì shuǐ kěyǐ rùn hóu.

Drinking honey water can soothe the throat.

公司今年利润很高。

Gōngsī jīnnián lìrùn hěn gāo.

The company's profit is high this year.

春雨润泽了干渴的田野。

Chūnyǔ rùnzéle gānkě de tiányě.

Spring rain moistened the thirsty fields.

作家收到了一笔润笔。

Zuòjiā shōudàole yī bǐ rùnbǐ.

The writer received a remuneration.

Related Characters

Component: 氵

润