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March 24, 2026
洇yān(yan1)
The character 洇 (yān) primarily means 'to soak' or 'to blot,' often used in contexts involving liquids saturating materials. It can also refer to the act of creating a splotch or stain, emphasizing the idea of moisture spreading unevenly. This word might be encountered in both literary and everyday contexts, particularly when discussing water or other liquids interacting with surfaces.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese painting, the technique of using watercolors to create splotches or blended effects is integral, making terms like 洇 relevant in artistic discussions. This reflects the cultural appreciation for fluidity and natural forms in Chinese art.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sponge (the character 洋) soaking up water, leaving a splotch on the table. The '水' (water) radical suggests moisture, while the character's form can remind you of something being soaked, as it 'blots' the surface beneath it.
Meanings of 洇
yān(yan1)
primary
1to soak; to blot, to splotch
2to blotch
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 洇
洇Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 洇
Podcast: 洇
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AI Study Notes for 洇
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sponge (the character 洋) soaking up water, leaving a splotch on the table. The '水' (water) radical suggests moisture, while the character's form can remind you of something being soaked, as it 'blots' the surface beneath it.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 洇 is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to its synonyms. It carries a more literary tone, so it's best suited for written contexts or specific discussions about soaking or staining. Avoid using it interchangeably with more common verbs like 浸 (jìn), which means 'to soak' more broadly.
HSK Study Tips
Although 洇 is not included in the standard HSK vocabulary, it shares thematic connections with other HSK words related to water, such as 水 (shuǐ) and 浸 (jìn). Focus on how this word fits into discussions of water and its interactions with objects to reinforce your understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese painting, the technique of using watercolors to create splotches or blended effects is integral, making terms like 洇 relevant in artistic discussions. This reflects the cultural appreciation for fluidity and natural forms in Chinese art.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 洇 with 浸 (jìn) or 湿 (shī), leading to incorrect usage in discussions about soaking. For example, saying '我把衣服洇在水里' (I soaked my clothes in water) should be corrected to '我把衣服浸在水里.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洇
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Cultural Notes for 洇
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese painting, the technique of using watercolors to create splotches or blended effects is integral, making terms like 洇 relevant in artistic discussions. This reflects the cultural appreciation for fluidity and natural forms in Chinese art.
Word Family of 洇
Words Containing This Character1
洇yānto soak
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 洇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洇
No, 洇 is more commonly found in literary contexts or specific discussions about soaking or staining.
Common synonyms include 浸 (jìn) for 'to soak' and 湿 (shī) for 'to wet.'
Primarily, 洇 refers to liquids soaking into materials; using it for other contexts isn't typical.
