Definitions

rèn (verb) to appoint; to assign
rèn (verb) to hold a position; to serve in office
rèn (verb) to allow; to let; to give free rein to
rèn (particle) no matter (how, what)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 任 is structured with the person radical 亻 alongside the component 壬, which primarily functions as a phonetic element, and its earliest etymological sense revolved around bearing a physical burden or undertaking a duty. This core concept of carrying responsibility naturally extended to meanings involving the appointment of individuals to positions, the entrustment of tasks, and the designation of terms in office or service. Over time, the character's semantic range expanded to include related notions of trust and obligation, while its structural composition remained consistent, reflecting its enduring association with human agency and accountability.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

何事都有可能。

Rènhé shì dōu yǒu kěnéng.

Anything is possible.

他有一个重要的务。

Tā yǒu yī gè zhòngyào de rènwù.

He has an important mission.

她担班级的班长。

Tā dānrèn bānjí de bānzhǎng.

She serves as the class monitor.

他为人非常信朋友。

Tā wéirén fēicháng xìnrèn péngyou.

He is a person who trusts his friends very much.

这孩子有时有点性。

Zhè háizi yǒushí yǒudiǎn rènxìng.

This child is sometimes a bit willful.

他出了公司的总经理。

Tā chūrèn le gōngsī de zǒng jīnglǐ.

He took up the post of the company's general manager.

新校长的期是五年。

Xīn xiàozhǎng de rènqī shì wǔ nián.

The new principal's term of office is five years.

何艰难险阻都重道远。

Rènhé jiānnán xiǎnzǔ dōu rènzhòngdàoyuǎn.

Any difficulties and obstacles make the task arduous and the road long.