人伦 (rén lún) is a classical Chinese term referring to the fundamental ethical relationships between people, especially as defined in Confucian thought. The character 人 means 'person' or 'human', and 伦 means 'order', 'category', or 'proper relationship'. Together, they denote the five cardinal human bonds: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger siblings, and friend-friend — each carrying specific moral duties and expectations.

This term appears primarily in philosophical, historical, and literary contexts, not in casual daily speech. It emphasizes harmony, reciprocity, and role-based responsibility rather than individual emotion or choice. While modern Mandarin rarely uses 人伦 alone in conversation, it remains central in discussions of traditional ethics, family values, education, and cultural identity. It often appears in set phrases like 人伦纲常 (rén lún gāng cháng, 'the cardinal principles of human relationships') or when contrasting traditional versus modern social norms.