Definitions

ràng (verb) to let; to allow; to permit
ràng (verb) to yield; to give way
ràng (verb) to make (someone feel something)
ràng (particle) passive marker (similar to 被)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The simplified character 让 descends from the traditional 讓, a phono-semantic compound conveying the ideas of yielding, conceding, and permitting. Its traditional structure combines the semantic radical 言 (yán, "speech") with the phonetic component 襄 (xiāng). Historically, the character evoked the use of humble speech to decline, yield, or offer something to another. In simplification, the intricate phonetic 襄 was replaced by the simple directional character 上 (shàng, "up/above"), while the speech radical 言 became 讠. The core meaning now spans giving way, allowing an action, making concessions, and transferring ownership, linking verbal communication to the social act of deference.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我帮助你。

Qǐng ràng wǒ bāngzhù nǐ.

Please let me help you.

妈妈我回家。

Māma ràng wǒ huí jiā.

Mom told me to go home.

老师学生读书。

Lǎoshī ràng xuéshēng dúshū.

The teacher made the students read.

你能我过去吗?

Nǐ néng ràng wǒ guòqù ma?

Can you let me pass?

这件事我很高兴。

Zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ hěn gāoxìng.

This matter makes me very happy.

他总是不别人说话。

Tā zǒngshì bù ràng biérén shuōhuà.

He always doesn't let others speak.

如果你我决定,我会选择离开。

Rúguǒ nǐ ràng wǒ juédìng, wǒ huì xuǎnzé líkāi.

If you let me decide, I will choose to leave.

他的行为所有人都感到失望。

Tā de xíngwéi ràng suǒyǒu rén dōu gǎndào shīwàng.

His behavior made everyone feel disappointed.