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澈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
澈chèclear (water)g, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #22023, Very Hard
澈chèthoroughg, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #22023, Very Hard
澈chèlimpid, clear; thoroughly, completelyg, 15 strokes, radical 氵, rank #22023, Very Hard
chè(che4)che T4
  1. 1clear (water)
  2. 2thorough
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March 24, 2026

澈chè(che4)

The character 澈 (chè) primarily means 'clear,' particularly in reference to water, suggesting transparency and purity. It can also imply thoroughness or completeness in various contexts, such as understanding or expressing thoughts clearly. This word is often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke a sense of clarity and depth.

Strokes15Radical氵Frequency#22023DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, water imagery is significant, and characters like 澈 are often used to convey deeper philosophical meanings about life and clarity of thought. The appreciation for clear water is also reflected in traditional tea culture, where water quality is paramount.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sparkling clear lake where you can see the bottom clearly. The character 澈 has the water radical 氵 (water) on the left, indicating its connection to clarity and liquid, while the right component suggests something thorough. Remember 'chè' as you envision this pristine scene.

Meanings of 澈

chè(che4)
1clear (water)
2thorough
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 澈

澈Simplified
15Strokes
氵Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#22023Frequency Rank

Podcast: 澈

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Podcast: 澈

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AI Study Notes for 澈

Quick Contrast

清 (qīng) - use 澈 (chè) for a deeper sense of clarity or purity in a literary context, while 清 (qīng) is more general and can refer to cleanliness or brightness.

Usage Notes

澈 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '澈的水' (clear water) and '澈底' (thoroughly clear). Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with the fourth tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

澈 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists but is relevant for intermediate learners who are expanding their literary language skills. Students should focus on reading and recognizing this character in texts that discuss nature or clarity, as it often appears in descriptive passages.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 澈 with 清 (qīng), leading to sentences like '水很清' (Water is very clear) instead of using 澈 for a more poetic expression. Remember that 澈 is used for a deeper clarity, particularly in literature.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 澈

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Etymology of 澈

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

water

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

Origin

What kind of character is 澈?

Decomposition of 澈

IDS Structure⿰氵⿰育攵
澈Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
育yu4
left
攵pu1
right
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 澈?

How to say clear (water) in Chinese

“clear (water)” in Chinese is澈chè

The character 澈 (chè) primarily means 'clear,' particularly in reference to water, suggesting transparency and purity. It can also imply thoroughness or completeness in various contexts, such as understanding or expressing thoughts clearly. This word is often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke a sense of clarity and depth.

When to use 澈

澈 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include '澈的水' (clear water) and '澈底' (thoroughly clear). Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with the fourth tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

澈 or something close to it

清 (qīng) - use 澈 (chè) for a deeper sense of clarity or purity in a literary context, while 清 (qīng) is more general and can refer to cleanliness or brightness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 澈 with 清 (qīng), leading to sentences like '水很清' (Water is very clear) instead of using 澈 for a more poetic expression. Remember that 澈 is used for a deeper clarity, particularly in literature.

Write 澈

澈

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

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Grammar Patterns of 澈

澈 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

水清____见底,能看见许多鱼。

The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.

Example Sentences for 澈 (5)

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1
水清澈见底,能看见许多鱼。

shuǐ qīng chè jiàn dǐ, , néng kàn jiàn xǔ duō。

The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible.
2
清澈的海水拍打着悬崖峭壁,令她想起了卡普里。

qīng chè de hǎi shuǐ pāi dǎ zháo xuán yá qiào bì, , líng tā xiǎng qǐ le kǎ pǔ。

The cliffs, lapped by a crystal-clear sea, remind her of Capri.
3
他有一双清澈的蓝眼睛和凸出的下巴。

tā yǒu yī shuāng qīng chè de lán yǎn jīng hé tū chū de xià bā。

He had clear blue eyes and a jutting chin.
4
水面上一朵鲜花舒展开的花瓣沉入了清澈宁静的水中.

shuǐ miàn shàng yī duǒ xiān huā shū zhǎn kāi de huā bàn chén rù le qīng chè níng jìng de shuǐ zhōng.

A flower on the surface extends its petals drowning to subside in the clear still water.
5
清澈的山泉水也是秋山中的一道风景线.

qīng chè de shān quán shuǐ yě shì qiū shān zhōng de yī dào fēng jǐng xiàn.

Akiyama is also a clear mountain spring water in a landscape.

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Word Family of 澈

Words Containing This Character7
清澈qīngchèclear
澈chèthorough
明澈clear
清澈见底water so clear you can see the bottom清澈見底
澄澈limpid
澈底thorough
澈查to investigate thoroughly
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 澈

What does 清澈 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 澈

You can use it in a sentence like '这条河水很澈' (This river's water is very clear).

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