rènshū: 认输 - To Admit Defeat, Concede, Give In

• Keywords: 认输, renshu, admit defeat in Chinese, give up in Chinese, concede in Chinese, throw in the towel, say uncle, Chinese for surrender, how to say I give up in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn how to say “I give up” or “I admit defeat” in Chinese with the essential term 认输 (rènshū). This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance related to “face,” and practical use in everyday situations from games and arguments to business negotiations. Discover the crucial difference between 认输 (rènshū) and 放弃 (fàngqì) (to give up) and master this fundamental concept with over 10 clear example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rènshū
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase (functions as a verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To formally acknowledge and admit one's own defeat.
• In a Nutshell: 认输 (rènshū) is the act of saying “I lose” or “You win.” It's not just about quitting; it's the explicit acknowledgment that you have been bested in a specific contest. This could be a chess match, a debate, a friendly competition, or even a struggle against a difficult situation. It is the verbal equivalent of throwing in the towel.

• 认 (rèn): To recognize, to acknowledge, to admit. This character combines the “speech” radical (言) with the character for “person” (人). You can think of it as a person verbally *saying* they recognize or acknowledge a fact.
• 输 (shū): To lose, to be defeated. This character features the “cart” radical (车). A helpful mnemonic is to imagine your cart or vehicle being outmaneuvered and overtaken by another, resulting in a loss.
• Together, 认 (rèn) + 输 (shū) literally means “to recognize a loss.” The meaning is direct and transparent: you see that you have lost, and you admit it.

In Chinese culture, the act of 认输 (rènshū) is often tied to the concept of 面子 (miànzi), or “face”—a person's social standing, reputation, and pride. Admitting defeat, especially publicly, can sometimes lead to a loss of face. Because of this, refusing to 认输 can be seen as a sign of strong willpower and perseverance. However, knowing *when* to 认输 is equally valued as a sign of wisdom and pragmatism. It's not always negative. In business or personal strategy, a timely concession can be a smart move to cut one's losses, preserve energy, and focus on more winnable battles. It's about being realistic rather than foolishly stubborn. A good Western comparison is the idea of “tapping out” in martial arts or “saying uncle” in a childhood game. These are clear signals of concession in a direct contest. 认输 (rènshū) extends this concept beyond physical contests to intellectual, social, and business confrontations. While the American ideal of “winners never quit” can sometimes cast a negative light on quitting, 认输 is often viewed more neutrally as a tactical assessment of a specific situation rather than a moral failing.

认输 is a common and versatile term used in many contexts, ranging from informal to formal.

• Games and Competitions: This is the most literal and common usage. It's what you say when you lose a game of chess, cards, or a sports match.
• Arguments and Debates: In a friendly argument, you can say 我认输 (wǒ rènshū) to concede a point and end the discussion, sometimes with a tone of light-hearted exasperation.
• Challenges and Dares: If you can't complete a challenge, like eating an extremely spicy dish, you can exclaim 我认输了! (Wǒ rènshū le!) to give up.
• Figurative and Emotional Contexts: People use 认输 to express a feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation, a person's energy, or a difficult reality. For example, one might “admit defeat” to a toddler's boundless energy.

The connotation is generally neutral but depends heavily on the context. Refusing to 认输 can be heroic or foolish, while choosing to 认输 can be wise or cowardly.

• Example 1:
  • 这盘棋我下不过你，我认输了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè pán qí wǒ xià bu guò nǐ, wǒ rènshū le.
  • English: I can't beat you in this game of chess, I concede.
  • Analysis: A classic, literal use in a competition. This is a polite and standard way to end a game.
• Example 2:
  • 别再说了，我认输还不行吗？
  • Pinyin: Bié zài shuō le, wǒ rènshū hái bùxíng ma?
  • English: Stop talking, can't I just admit I'm wrong? (Literally: …is it not okay if I admit defeat?)
  • Analysis: Used with a slightly exasperated or frustrated tone to end an argument. It implies “You win, let's just drop it.”
• Example 3:
  • 他这个人性格太强，从来不肯向任何人认输。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén xìnggé tài qiáng, cónglái bùkěn xiàng rènhé rén rènshū.
  • English: He has a very strong personality and is never willing to concede to anyone.
  • Analysis: This describes a personal trait (stubbornness or determination). Note the structure 向 (xiàng) + [person] + 认输, meaning “to concede to [person].”
• Example 4:
  • 面对强大的证据，他不得不低头认输。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì qiángdà de zhèngjù, tā bùdébù dītóu rènshū.
  • English: In the face of powerful evidence, he had no choice but to bow his head and admit defeat.
  • Analysis: A more formal usage, common in news or legal contexts. 低头 (dītóu), “to lower one's head,” physically illustrates the act of concession.
• Example 5:
  • 你太厉害了，我认输！这顿饭我请。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ tài lìhài le, wǒ rènshū! Zhè dùn fàn wǒ qǐng.
  • English: You're too good, I give in! This meal is on me.
  • Analysis: A very common, informal, and friendly use after losing a small bet or a casual competition.
• Example 6:
  • 就算只有一线希望，我也绝不认输。
  • Pinyin: Jiùsuàn zhǐyǒu yīxiàn xīwàng, wǒ yě jué bù rènshū.
  • English: Even if there's only a sliver of hope, I will never admit defeat.
  • Analysis: A powerful and inspirational sentence showing strong determination and fighting spirit.
• Example 7:
  • 在现实面前，许多理想主义者最终都认输了。
  • Pinyin: Zài xiànshí miànqián, xǔduō lǐxiǎng zhǔyì zhě zuìzhōng dōu rènshū le.
  • English: In the face of reality, many idealists eventually conceded.
  • Analysis: A figurative use, where the “opponent” is an abstract concept like “reality” (现实).
• Example 8:
  • 好吧，在这一点上我认输，你的分析更有道理。
  • Pinyin: Hǎo ba, zài zhè yīdiǎn shàng wǒ rènshū, nǐ de fēnxī gèng yǒu dàolǐ.
  • English: Okay, I'll concede on this point; your analysis makes more sense.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates intellectual honesty in a discussion or debate, admitting the other person's argument is better.
• Example 9:
  • 我算是向我的孩子们认输了，他们精力太旺盛了！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ suànshì xiàng wǒ de háizimen rènshū le, tāmen jīnglì tài wàngshèng le!
  • English: I guess I have to surrender to my kids, they have way too much energy!
  • Analysis: A humorous, hyperbolic use. The speaker is not in a real competition but is admitting they cannot keep up.
• Example 10:
  • 我们公司在价格战中拒绝认输。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zài jiàgé zhànzhōng jùjué rènshū.
  • English: Our company refuses to concede in the price war.
  • Analysis: A common business context. Here, refusing to 认输 is a strategic decision.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 认输 (rènshū) and 放弃 (fàngqì).

• 认输 (rènshū) - To Admit Defeat: This implies a competition or conflict with an opponent (a person, a team, or even a situation). You admit that the other side has won.
• 放弃 (fàngqì) - To Give Up / Abandon: This is about stopping an activity or letting go of a goal. It does not require an opponent. You can give up on a dream, a project, or a habit.

Think of it this way: You 认输 in a race. You 放弃 your goal of running a marathon.

• Incorrect Usage: 我认输学中文了。 (Wǒ rènshū xué Zhōngwén le.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you were in a Chinese-learning competition with someone and you lost to them. It doesn't mean you stopped learning.
• Correct Usage: 我放弃学中文了。 (Wǒ fàngqì xué Zhōngwén le.)
• Meaning: I've given up on learning Chinese.

Another distinction is with 投降 (tóuxiáng), which means “to surrender.” 投降 is a much stronger term used for military or large-scale conflicts. Using it for a board game would sound overly dramatic and comical. Use 认输 for everyday contests.

• 放弃 (fàngqì) - To give up; abandon. The act of stopping an effort, which doesn't require an opponent.
• 投降 (tóuxiáng) - To surrender; capitulate. A more formal and intense term, typically used in a military or conflict context.
• 服输 (fúshū) - To submit to defeat; to be convinced of one's loss. A near-synonym that can imply a deeper acceptance of the opponent's superiority.
• 认栽 (rènzāi) - (Colloquial) To accept one's loss or misfortune, often when feeling helpless or tricked. Carries a sense of “Alright, I'll take the 'L' on this one.”
• 赢 (yíng) - To win. The direct antonym of 输 (shū).
• 输 (shū) - To lose; be defeated. The “lose” character at the heart of 认输.
• 不甘心 (bù gānxīn) - Unwilling to resign oneself to a situation; to feel that something is unfair. This is the feeling you have when you lose but don't want to 认输.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social standing and prestige. The cultural concept often at stake when one is forced to 认输.
• 低头 (dītóu) - To lower one's head. A verb often paired with 认输 (e.g., 低头认输) to create a more vivid image of concession.