承认 chéngrèn to admit
to admit; to concede; to recognize; recognition (diplomatic, artistic etc); to acknowledge
How to remember 承认: 承 to undertake + 认 recognize = to admit.
Characters
How it is used
- To admit/acknowledge - 承认错误 (chéngrèn cuòwù) admit a mistake; also diplomatic/formal recognition - 承认独立 recognize independence.
- Two jobs: owning up to something (fault, fact) and officially recognizing status. Distinguish from 认为 (rènwéi, to think/hold an opinion).
- 我承认 (I admit) concedes a point; opposite is 否认 (fǒurèn, to deny) - 他否认了 (tā fǒurèn le) he denied it.
Example sentences
- 我承认我很累。 Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ hěn lèi.I confess that I'm tired.
- 我承认我大意了。 Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ dàyì le.I admit I was careless.
- 我承认他是对的。 Wǒ chéngrèn tā shì duì de.I admit that he is right.