认

認
rèn
人 + 讠
HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

rèn (verb) to recognize; to identify
rèn (verb) to know; to be familiar with
rèn (verb) to admit; to acknowledge
rèn (verb) enter into a certain relationship with; adopt

Etymology

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

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 人

About

认 is a phonosemantic compound: the simplified radical 讠 (speech, from 言) supplies the meaning, while 人 (person) gives the sound rén. The traditional form 認 uses 忍 (rěn, 'endure'), a combination of 刃 (blade) and 心 (heart), which contributes both phonetic and semantic nuance. The character signifies recognizing, knowing, or identifying, emphasizing verbal and mental acknowledgment, and is commonly used in verbs for admitting truths, identifying people, or formally accepting situations.

Example Sentences Hide

我认识他。

Wǒ rènshí tā.

I know him.

你要认真写字。

Nǐ yào rènzhēn xiězì.

You need to write characters seriously/carefully.

你认为这是对的吗？

Nǐ rènwéi zhè shì duì de ma?

Do you think this is right?

我不认识这个字。

Wǒ bú rènshí zhège zì.

I don't recognize this character.

我承认我犯了一个错误。

Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ fànle yí gè cuòwù.

I admit that I made a mistake.

公司认可他的工作能力。

Gōngsī rènkě tā de gōngzuò nénglì.

The company recognizes/approves of his work ability.

他一眼就认出了老朋友。

Tā yì yǎn jiù rènchūle lǎo péngyou.

He recognized his old friend at a glance.

经过这件事，他深刻认识到了自己的错误。

Jīngguò zhè jiàn shì, tā shēnkè rènshí dàole zìjǐ de cuòwù.

After this incident, he deeply realized his own mistake.

Related Characters

Component: 人

人 个 大 会 从 全 内 金 队 夫 火 企 众 食

Component: 讠

说 话 论 计 许 设 记 该 让 识 议 证 调 请

Example Words

承认 认为 认真 认识 公认 否认 确认 认出 认可 认同 认命 认定 认得 认清 认知 认证 认输 认错 默认 供认 供认不讳 六亲不认 招认 指认