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任何 (rèn hé) — any; whatever; whichever

Definition

Used before a noun to mean 'any / whatever / whichever' — emphasizes that no exception exists. Contrast with 一切 ('everything'), which sums a whole set rather than picking any member of it.

pronoun
anywhateverwhichever

Examples

  • 。
    rèn hé Rén dōu kě yǐ cān jiā zhè ge huó dòng.
    Anyone can join this activity.
  • 任何。
    Wǒ méi yǒu rèn hé wèn tí yào wèn.
    I don't have any questions to ask.
  • 任何。
    rèn hé Shí hou lái dōu xíng.
    You can come anytime.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

任rènwhatever
何héwhich

'任' conveys whatever and '何' conveys which, together meaning any choice at all.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
壬
壬rén任rèn
Same sound today

任 pairs 亻, a person, with 壬, which may picture a shoulder pole turned sideways.

Open 任 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form of 何 drew a person carrying something on their shoulder. If the carried thing was a 戈, the 人 and 戈 parts together showed that picture.

Open 何 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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