HanziGuru.進 · jìn
進
jìn[jin4]Tone 4

to enter, to advance, to go forward

HSK 1
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进
Guru Deep Dive

English · to enter, to advance, to go forward

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Topology:Left-right
Strokes:7
Writing Balance Rule: The left component (movement radical 辶) wraps around the lower-left side of the right component (隹). Ensure the bottom horizontal stroke of the radical sweeps gracefully to the right to support the character.
Simplification Logic: Simplified from 進 by replacing the phonetic component 隹 inside with a simpler phonetic element or standardizing the components under standard script guidelines.
1. Meaning

to enter or go forward

to submit or present (e.g. a document or proposal)to take in or admitbase of a number system in mathematicsclassifier for sections in a traditional building or courtyard
Verb / ClassifierNeutral#motion#direction#administrative actions
Sample Usage
  • 请进！
    qǐng jìn!
    Please come in!
  • 我们要不断进步。
    wǒmen yào búduàn jìnbù.
    We must continuously make progress.
2. Sound
/[tɕin⁵¹]/Tone: 51
進
jìnjin4
++
`(51)
=jìn
Initial Consonant
j
Type: Unaspirated Alveolo-Palatal
Sounds like: j in jeep
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: No air puff. Lips spread wide like smiling.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Blade of the tongue touches the hard palate, releasing air gently without an explosive burst of breath.
Final Rhyme
in
Vowel Group: -i vowel group
Sounds like: -een as in seen
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'een'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Tone
T4 (51)
4th Tone (High-Falling)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and plunges sharply down, exactly like saying 'No!' or 'Stop!' in English.
Sandhi: When followed by another Tone 4 syllable, the tone changes to a half-falling pitch (53), though structurally it remains a Tone 4.
👂
Listening trap: Confusing it with jīng (jing with Tone 1) because English speakers often fail to make the pitch drop steep enough.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: A sharp karate chop downwards, mirroring the abrupt high-to-low drop of Tone 4.
3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 7 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left component (movement radical 辶) wraps around the lower-left side of the right component (隹). Ensure the bottom horizontal stroke of the radical sweeps gracefully to the right to support the character.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 進 by replacing the phonetic component 隹 inside with a simpler phonetic element or standardizing the components under standard script guidelines.

4. Components

Radical 辶 · Walking Radical / Movement Radical (movement, motion, road, walking)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 辶 (indicates forward movement or walking)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 隹 (original sound: jin / zhui phonetic family influence)

You are taking steps on a path (辶) toward a destination, rushing forward (进) to enter.

  • 辶 movement / walking path
  • 隹 short-tailed bird / phonetic anchor
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally combined the walking/foot footprint symbol with a phonetic element to denote moving ahead or advancing into a space.

Semantic Evolution: From physical walking and entering a gate to metaphorical advancement, submitting items, and mathematical progression.

  • In traditional Chinese architecture, large compounds are counted by 'jìn' (sections/courtyards you enter successively).
6. Sinosphere
🇯🇵
Kanji (Japanese)
On: シン / Kun: すす.む
🇰🇷
Hanja (Korean)
진
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story

You put on your running shoes and take long strides on the path (辶), eagerly rushing forward to ENTER (进) the big stadium.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
近
jìnnearAdd the walking radical to a axe/axe-like base to mean close or nearby.
浕
jìnunderground streamSwap the walking radical for water (氵) to represent flowing water.
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
近(jìn)
近 means 'near' (has a axe-like element inside), whereas 进 means 'to enter/advance' (has a bird-like element 隹 inside).
经(jīng)
经 uses the silk thread radical (纟) for passing through/classics, while 进 uses the walking radical (辶) for entering.
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
歡迎光臨，請[___]!
Clue: qǐng jìn
Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing the tone with Tone 2 (jín) or Tone 3 (jǐn). Remember it is a sharp Tone 4 (jìn), like a firm command.

Memory Prompts
Recognition: When you see 进, what action does it signify?
Production: How do you write the character for 'to enter / advance' with pinyin jìn?
Real-World Video Context

Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.

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