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流水 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
流水liúshuǐrunning waterHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #10916, Very Hard
liúshuǐ(liu2shui3)liu shui T2
  1. 1running water
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March 24, 2026

流水liúshuǐ(liu2shui3)

流水 (liú shuǐ) refers to running water, often used to describe the natural flow of water in rivers or streams. It symbolizes fluidity and movement, and can also be used metaphorically in various contexts, such as describing time or changes in life.

Strokes14Frequency#10916DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 流水 is often associated with harmony and balance in nature. It is a common motif in traditional poetry and art, reflecting the importance of water in sustaining life and symbolizing the flow of time.

Memory tip

Imagine a river flowing smoothly. The character 流 (liú) looks like water flowing, and 水 (shuǐ) means water. Picture the stream of water gently gliding over rocks, creating a soothing sound as it passes.

Meanings of 流水

liúshuǐ(liu2shui3)
1running water
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About 流水

流水Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 流水

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AI study notes for 流水

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 流 (liú) and 水 (shuǐ); incorrect tones can lead to confusion. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often found in phrases related to nature, water management, or even metaphorical expressions about life.

HSK Study Tips

As an intermediate-level word, 流水 connects well with vocabulary related to nature and environmental themes. Students should focus on the individual characters and practice their pronunciation and tone to reinforce their understanding of similar words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 流 (liú) with 了 (le), especially in fast speech, leading to miscommunication. For example, saying '流水' with a wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings, so practicing the correct tones is crucial.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 流水

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Component characters

流liúto flow
HSK 410 strokes氵
View full entry
水shuǐwater
HSK 14 strokes水
View full entry

How to say running water in Chinese

“running water” in Chinese is流水liúshuǐ

流水 (liú shuǐ) refers to running water, often used to describe the natural flow of water in rivers or streams. It symbolizes fluidity and movement, and can also be used metaphorically in various contexts, such as describing time or changes in life.

When to use 流水

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 流 (liú) and 水 (shuǐ); incorrect tones can lead to confusion. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often found in phrases related to nature, water management, or even metaphorical expressions about life.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 流 (liú) with 了 (le), especially in fast speech, leading to miscommunication. For example, saying '流水' with a wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings, so practicing the correct tones is crucial.

Write 流水

流
水

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

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Frequently asked questions about 流水

Common phrases include '流水账' (liú shuǐ zhàng), which means an informal account of transactions, and '流水线' (liú shuǐ xiàn), which refers to an assembly line.

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