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March 24, 2026
泻(瀉)xiè(xie4)
The character 泻 (xiè) primarily means 'to flow out swiftly' and is often used in medical contexts to refer to diarrhea or laxatives. It can also describe a torrent or flood, conveying a sense of rapid outflow of liquid. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts when discussing health issues.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#21804DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about digestion and health are common, and terms like 泻 are frequently used in traditional medicine when addressing gastrointestinal issues. The importance of digestive health is reflected in various health practices and diets.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heavy rain (the radical 水 for water) causing a swift flow of water (the character form) that spills out and floods an area. The sound 'xiè' can be remembered by visualizing a 'shedding' of water, emphasizing the rapid outpouring.
Meanings of 泻
xiè(xie4)
1to flow out swiftly
2to flood
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泻
泻Simplified
瀉Traditional
8Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#21804Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 泻
Podcast: 泻
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AI Study Notes for 泻
Quick Contrast
泄 (xiè) vs 流 (liú) — use 泻 when referring specifically to rapid outflow in a medical context, while 流 is more general for any flow of liquid.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heavy rain (the radical 水 for water) causing a swift flow of water (the character form) that spills out and floods an area. The sound 'xiè' can be remembered by visualizing a 'shedding' of water, emphasizing the rapid outpouring.
Usage Notes
Learners may confuse 泻 with other similar-sounding words, leading to miscommunication about health topics. It is used in both formal and informal settings, particularly in conversations about digestion. Be mindful of its negative connotation when discussing health, as it implies a problem.
HSK Study Tips
While 泻 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with HSK Level 3 words related to health and bodily functions. Students should focus on its usage in medical discussions and be aware of synonyms and antonyms within that context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about digestion and health are common, and terms like 泻 are frequently used in traditional medicine when addressing gastrointestinal issues. The importance of digestive health is reflected in various health practices and diets.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泻 with 洗 (xǐ, to wash), leading to misunderstandings in health-related discussions. For example, saying '我有洗' (wǒ yǒu xǐ) instead of '我有泻' (wǒ yǒu xiè) can change the meaning completely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泻
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Grammar Patterns of 泻
泻 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 6 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
溢出的湖水倾____而下，形成了一座日式水景花园的瀑布。
The loch's overflow cascades into the waterfalls of a Japanese water garden.
Example Sentences for 泻 (8)
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1
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.
2
她抓得紧紧的，任凭冰冷湍急的水流从她身上倾泻而下。
tā zhuā dé jǐn jǐn de， ， rèn píng bīng lěng tuān jí de shuǐ liú cóng tā shēn shàng qīng xiè ér。
She hung on as the freezing, rushing water cascaded past her.
3
瀑布从一千英尺的高处直泻而下.
pù bù cóng yī qiān yīng chǐ de gāo chǔ zhí xiè ér xià.
The waterfall makes a sheer drop of one thousand feet.
4
他那蓄积已久的怒气,就像雷电般倾泻在莫德身上.
tā nà xù jī yǐ jiǔ de nù qì, , jiù xiàng léi diàn bān qīng xiè zài mò dé shēn.
All his accumulated nervous agitation was discharged on Maud like a thunderbolt.
5
风撕裂了天上的云块, 柔和的月光从云隙间泻向四周.
fēng sī liè le tiān shàng de yún kuài, , róu hé de yuè guāng cóng yún xì jiān xiè xiàng sì.
Big holes were blown into the sky, the moonlight blew about.
The doctors attempted to reduce his high fever by inducing diarrhea with a purgative.
8
这种油有催泻作用.
zhè zhǒng yóu yǒu cuī xiè zuò yòng.
This oil acts as a purgative / has a purgative effect.
Cultural Notes for 泻
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions about digestion and health are common, and terms like 泻 are frequently used in traditional medicine when addressing gastrointestinal issues. The importance of digestive health is reflected in various health practices and diets.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, diarrhea is often seen as a temporary inconvenience, while in Chinese culture, it can be viewed as a serious health issue requiring prompt treatment.
Word Family of 泻
Words Containing This Character14
腹泻fùxièdiarrhea腹瀉
泻xièto flood瀉
泻药laxative瀉藥
倾泻to pour down in torrents傾瀉
泻湖lagoon瀉湖
泽泻water plantain rhizome (used in TCM)澤瀉
上吐下泻to vomit and have diarrhea上吐下瀉
泄泻loose bowels洩瀉
泻盐epsom salts瀉鹽
番泻叶senna leaf (Folium sennae)番瀉葉
奔泻pour down奔瀉
泻肚to have diarrhea瀉肚
泻肚子to have diarrhea瀉肚子
乳糜泻celiac disease乳糜瀉
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 腹泻 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 泻
Common phrases include '腹泻' (fù xiè) for 'diarrhea' and '泻药' (xiè yào) for 'laxative.'
While it is primarily used in medical contexts, it can also describe any rapid outflow of liquid in different scenarios.
The correct pronunciation is 'xiè,' with a falling tone. Practice saying it while visualizing water pouring out.
