rěn

荏

Character · Noun · Adjective

perilla; weak, timid

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

noun

perilla; white perilla (Perilla frutescens); ancient name for a fragrant herb resembling basil

Refers specifically to the white variety of perilla (白苏) in classical texts, distinct from purple perilla (紫苏).

Rěn荏
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
cháng常
jiàn见
de的
yào药
yòng用
zhí植
wù物
 ，
qí其
zǐ籽
kě可
zhà榨
yóu油
 。

Perilla is a common medicinal plant, and its seeds can be pressed for oil.

Gǔ古
dài代
wén文
xiàn献
zhōng中
tí提
dào到
de的
rěn荏
 ，
jīn今
rì日
duō多
chēng称
bái白
sū苏
 。

The plant called 'rěn' in ancient texts is mostly called 'báisū' (white perilla) today.

2.

adjective

weak; soft; timid; cowardly

literary

Literary usage. Most commonly encountered in the idiom 色厉内荏 (fierce appearance but weak/faint heart).

Tā他
kàn看
sì似
qiáng强
yìng硬
 ，
shí实
zé则
shì是
sè色
lì厉
nèi内
rěn荏
 。

He appears tough, but is actually fierce of mien but faint of heart.

Rěn荏
ruò弱
zhī之
rén人
 ，
nán难
yǐ以
dān担
dāng当
dà大
rèn任
 。

Weak and timid people can hardly shoulder great responsibilities.

Show 1 more example
Suì岁
yuè月
rěn荏
rǎn苒
 ，
zhuǎn转
yǎn眼
yǐ已
shì是
shí十
nián年
 。

Time passes softly and swiftly; ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.