仁慈

réncí
adjective HSK 7 #4,002

Meanings

  1. 1 benevolent; kind; merciful

Characters

Both characters represent kindness — is the core Confucian virtue of humaneness, while suggests tender compassion, often associated with mothers ( = loving mother).

Examples

Tā shì yí ge réncí de lǎorén.
She is a benevolent old woman.
Lǐngdǎozhě yīnggāi réncí dàn gōngzhèng.
Leaders should be merciful but just.

Tips

history
(rén) is THE central concept in Confucianism — often translated as 'benevolence' or 'humaneness.' The character is composed of (person) + (two), suggesting that true humaneness arises in relationships between people. Confucius considered the highest moral ideal.

Stroke Order

rén