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March 24, 2026
溺nì(ni4)
The character 溺 (nì) primarily means 'to drown' or 'to indulge'. It can refer to a person who is overwhelmed by water, or metaphorically, someone who is excessively pampered or spoiled, especially in the context of parenting. The dual meaning makes it relevant in discussions about parenting styles and the consequences of overindulgence.
Strokes13Radical氵Frequency#20885DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of spoiling children is often discussed in relation to traditional values of discipline and respect. The word 溺 reflects concerns about excessive pampering and its potential negative effects on a child's character and behavior.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child who is spoiled so much that they are drowning in toys and treats. The character 溺 has water (氵) as a radical, which hints at drowning, and the sound 'nì' can be remembered by the image of a child saying 'knee' while they are surrounded by their overindulgent gifts.
Meanings of 溺
nì(ni4)
primary
1to spoil, to pamper, to indulge; to drown
2addicted to
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 溺
溺Simplified
13Strokes
氵Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 溺
Podcast: 溺
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AI Study Notes for 溺
Quick Contrast
溺 (drown) vs 沉 (sink) — use 溺 when emphasizing drowning or indulgence, while 沉 focuses on the act of sinking without the connotation of indulgence.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a child who is spoiled so much that they are drowning in toys and treats. The character 溺 has water (氵) as a radical, which hints at drowning, and the sound 'nì' can be remembered by the image of a child saying 'knee' while they are surrounded by their overindulgent gifts.
Usage Notes
This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in family discussions about child-rearing. A common mistake is to confuse the meanings; be mindful of the context to avoid using it incorrectly. For example, saying 'He is 溺 in work' instead of 'He is indulging in work' may lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
While 溺 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to water (like 水) and emotional states. Focus on understanding its usage in both physical and metaphorical contexts to enhance vocabulary about emotions and relationships.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of spoiling children is often discussed in relation to traditional values of discipline and respect. The word 溺 reflects concerns about excessive pampering and its potential negative effects on a child's character and behavior.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 溺 by applying it only in the context of drowning, ignoring its metaphorical meaning. For example, saying 'I am 溺 in my studies' is incorrect; instead, use 'I am indulging in my studies' to convey the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 溺
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Grammar Patterns of 溺
溺 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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
她十分疼爱自己的孩子，几乎到了____爱的程度。
She loved her own children, almost smothering them with love.
Example Sentences for 溺 (10)
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1
她十分疼爱自己的孩子，几乎到了溺爱的程度。
tā shí fēn téng ài zì jǐ de hái zǐ， ， jī hū dào le nì ài de chéng。
She loved her own children, almost smothering them with love.
2
他在西班牙海岸附近的一次海难中溺水身亡。
tā zài xī bān yá hǎi àn fù jìn de yī cì hǎi nán zhōng nì shuǐ shēn wáng。
He was drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Spain.
3
据悉海豚有时会救溺水的游泳者。
jù xī hǎi tún yǒu shí huì jiù nì shuǐ de yóu yǒng zhě。
Dolphins have sometimes been known to save drowning swimmers.
4
他们的船在暴风雨中倾覆后有48人溺亡。
tā mén de chuán zài bào fēng yǔ zhōng qīng fù hòu yǒu48 48 rén nì。
Forty-eight people have drowned after their boat capsized during a storm.
5
人们可能会翻着白眼谈论那些溺爱儿孙、样样都要插手的祖母。
rén mén kě néng huì fān zháo bái yǎn tán lùn nà xiē nì ài ér sūn、 、 yàng yàng dū yào chā shǒu de zǔ。
People may roll their eyes and talk about overprotective, interfering grandmothers.
6
那幅画把沉溺于热恋中的青年男子的痴态勾勒得滑稽可笑.
nà fú huà bǎ chén nì yú rè liàn zhōng de qīng nián nán zǐ de chī tài gōu lè dé huá jī kě xiào.
The comic skIt'sent up the foolishness of young men in love.
7
即将溺死的人连一根草也要去抓.
jí jiāng nì sǐ de rén lián yī gēn cǎo yě yào qù zhuā.
A drowning man will clutch at a straw.
8
汽车从悬崖上翻下来,司机溺水而亡.
qì chē cóng xuán yá shàng fān xià lái, , sī jī nì shuǐ ér.
The car fell over a cliff and the driver was drowned.
9
他们从桥上跳入水中,救起溺水的妇女.
tā mén cóng qiáo shàng tiào rù shuǐ zhōng, , jiù qǐ nì shuǐ de fù.
They dived from the bridge and rescued the drowning woman.
10
他从桥上跳入水中,救起溺水的孩子.
tā cóng qiáo shàng tiào rù shuǐ zhōng, , jiù qǐ nì shuǐ de hái.
He dived from the bridge and rescued the drowning child.
Cultural Notes for 溺
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of spoiling children is often discussed in relation to traditional values of discipline and respect. The word 溺 reflects concerns about excessive pampering and its potential negative effects on a child's character and behavior.
Word Family of 溺
Words Containing This Character8
溺水to drown
沉溺to indulge in
溺死to drown
溺nìto drown
溺爱to spoil溺愛
便溺urine and feces
耽溺to indulge in
溺婴to drown a newborn baby (as method of infanticide)溺嬰
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 溺水 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 溺
You might encounter phrases like 溺水 (drowning) or 被溺爱 (being spoiled) in everyday conversations.
Yes, 溺 is used in both formal writing and casual speech, but context is key to understanding its meaning.
Yes, while it often describes children, it can also refer to adults who are excessively indulged or addicted.
