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溢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
溢yìfull; overflowingHSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #15500, Hard
溢yìto overflowHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #15500, Hard
溢yì(literary) excessiveHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #15500, Hard
溢yìold variant of 鎰|镒[yi4]HSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #15500, Hard
yì(yi4) T4
  1. 1full; overflowing
  2. 2to overflow
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
溢yì(yi4)

The character 溢 (yì) primarily means to overflow or spill over, often used in contexts relating to liquids or emotions. It can also describe something that is excessive or abundant, conveying a sense of being more than what is necessary or usual.

Strokes13Radical氵Frequency#15500DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of overflowing can be metaphorically tied to emotions, particularly in poetry and literature, where feelings are often described as overflowing like water.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cup that is so full of water that it starts to overflow. The character 溢 has a water radical (氵) on the left that suggests fluidity, while the right side resembles a person watching in surprise at the overflowing cup, connecting the visual to the pronunciation 'yì'.

Meanings of 溢

yì(yi4)
1full; overflowing
2to overflow
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 溢

溢Simplified
13Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 溢

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Podcast: 溢

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 溢

Quick Contrast

溢 (yì) vs 漏 (lòu) — use 溢 when referring to an overflow or excessive abundance, while 漏 indicates a leak or escape of liquid.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cup that is so full of water that it starts to overflow. The character 溢 has a water radical (氵) on the left that suggests fluidity, while the right side resembles a person watching in surprise at the overflowing cup, connecting the visual to the pronunciation 'yì'.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 溢 with similar-sounding words; it specifically relates to overflow rather than just fullness. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, often in literary writing or when discussing emotions. Common collocations include 溢出 (yìchū - to overflow) and 溢价 (yìjià - premium price).

HSK Study Tips

Although 溢 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other water-related characters and concepts at higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as emotional overflow.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of overflowing can be metaphorically tied to emotions, particularly in poetry and literature, where feelings are often described as overflowing like water.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 溢 to describe a situation that is merely full, rather than overflowing. For example, saying '这个杯子溢' (This cup is full) is incorrect; it should be '这个杯子满' (This cup is full).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 溢

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Etymology of 溢

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 益 represents the sound. Originally written as 益.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)益
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 溢?

Decomposition of 溢

IDS Structure⿰氵益
溢Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
益Yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 溢?

Write 溢

溢

Practice writing 溢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 溢

溢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

有一点白兰地____出了玻璃杯。

A little cognac slopped over the edge of the glass.

Example Sentences for 溢 (10)

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1
有一点白兰地溢出了玻璃杯。

yǒu yī diǎn bái lán dì yì chū le bō lí bēi。

A little cognac slopped over the edge of the glass.
2
杰姬混迹于这些才华横溢的人之间。

jié jī hùn jì yú zhè xiē cái huá héng yì de rén zhī jiān。

Jackie was running around with all these brilliant people.
3
油轮外部金属板覆层破裂的那一瞬间，油开始外溢。

yóu lún wài bù jīn shǔ bǎn fù céng pò liè de nà yī shùn jiān， ， yóu kāi shǐ wài。

The tanker began spilling oil the moment her outer plating ruptured.
4
她站在那儿，陶醉于那流光溢彩的美景中。

tā zhàn zài nà ér， ， táo zuì yú nà liú guāng yì cǎi de měi jǐng。

She stood drinking in the glittering view.
5
溢出的湖水倾泻而下，形成了一座日式水景花园的瀑布。

yì chū de hú shuǐ qīng xiè ér xià， ， xíng chéng le yī zuò rì shì shuǐ jǐng huā yuán de pù。

The loch's overflow cascades into the waterfalls of a Japanese water garden.
6
他们看起来非常恩爱，柔情蜜意溢于言表。

tā mén kàn qǐ lái fēi cháng ēn ài， ， róu qíng mì yì yì yú yán。

They seemed devoted to each other and were openly affectionate.
7
他们在十分友好、洋溢着基督教徒助人为乐精神的气氛中分了手.

tā mén zài shí fēn yǒu hǎo、 、 yáng yì zháo jī dū jiào tú zhù rén wéi lè jīng shén de qì fēn zhōng fēn le.

They parted on a high plane of amity and Christian helpfulness.
8
这是一本妙语连珠、智慧洋溢的文集.

zhè shì yī běn miào yǔ lián zhū、 、 zhì huì yáng yì de wén.

It is an anthology that crackles with wit and wisdom.
9
我们漫步经过泉水叮咚的喷泉和芬芳四溢的花园。

wǒ mén màn bù jīng guò quán shuǐ dīng dōng de pēn quán hé fēn fāng sì yì de huā yuán。

We strolled past tinkling fountains and perfumed gardens.
10
埃米遇见的准妈妈们个个洋溢着自豪和喜悦。

āi mǐ yù jiàn de zhǔn mā mā mén gè gè yáng yì zháo zì háo hé xǐ yuè。

The expectant mothers that Amy had encountered positively glowed with pride.

Cultural Notes for 溢

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of overflowing can be metaphorically tied to emotions, particularly in poetry and literature, where feelings are often described as overflowing like water.

Word Family of 溢

Words Containing This Character14
溢yìto overflow
才华横溢brilliant才華橫溢
溢出to overflow
洋溢yángyìbrimming with
热情洋溢brimming with enthusiasm (idiom); full of warmth熱情洋溢
溢于言表to exhibit one's feelings in one's speech溢於言表
脑溢血stroke腦溢血
溢美之词flattering words溢美之詞
流光溢彩lit. flowing light and overflowing color
充溢replete
横溢to overflow橫溢
漫溢to overflow
涌溢to well up湧溢
满溢to be full to overflowing滿溢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 溢 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 溢

It's often used to describe liquids spilling over, such as a pot of soup boiling over or someone expressing too much emotion.