(róu) — to rub; to knead; to massage

Definition

揉 (róu) means to rub or knead with the hands or fingers, often with pressure or a circular motion — softer and more massaging than 擦 (wiping a surface) or 磨 (grinding/polishing). Use 按摩 for a formal, professional massage.

verb
to rubto kneadto massage

Examples

  • róu Miàn de shí hou yào yòng lì.
    When kneading dough, you need to use force.
  • Tā yòng shǒu róu tài yáng xué.
    He rubbed his temples with his hand.
  • Mā ma qīng qīng de róu wǒ de bèi.
    Mom gently rubbed my back.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
róuróu
Same sound today

The hand part 手 shows it is an action done with the hand, and 柔 gives the sound.

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