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March 24, 2026
洩xiè(xie4)
The character 洩 (xiè) means to leak or to drip, often used in contexts involving liquids or gases escaping from a container. It can also refer to venting or releasing something, such as emotions or pressure. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and technical discussions.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#62718DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of venting or releasing is often discussed in the context of emotional well-being, where it's important to 'leak' out negative feelings to maintain balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a leaky faucet where water is 'xiè-ing' out drop by drop. The character 洩 consists of the water radical 氵 on the left, indicating its connection to liquids, combined with the character 亥 (hài) that looks like a spout, suggesting something is leaking out.
Meanings of 洩
xiè(xie4)
1to leak, to drip; to vent, to release
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 洩
洩Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 洩
Podcast: 洩
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AI Study Notes for 洩
Quick Contrast
泄 (xiè, leak) vs 漏 (lòu, leak/drip) — use 洩 for intentional or controlled release, while 漏 often implies an unintentional escape.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a leaky faucet where water is 'xiè-ing' out drop by drop. The character 洩 consists of the water radical 氵 on the left, indicating its connection to liquids, combined with the character 亥 (hài) that looks like a spout, suggesting something is leaking out.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 洩 with its homophone 泄 (xiè), which also means to leak but can have different connotations. While 洩 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more commonly used in technical settings. Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone (xiè) to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 洩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to other water-related characters, such as 水 (water) and 漏 (to leak). At this level, focus on recognizing the context in which 洩 is used, especially in discussions about plumbing or emotional expression.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of venting or releasing is often discussed in the context of emotional well-being, where it's important to 'leak' out negative feelings to maintain balance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 洩 with 泄 due to their similar pronunciation; for example, saying '我家水管泄了' (I have a leak in my water pipe) should use 洩 instead of 泄. Make sure to use the correct character based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洩
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Cultural Notes for 洩
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of venting or releasing is often discussed in the context of emotional well-being, where it's important to 'leak' out negative feelings to maintain balance.
Word Family of 洩
Words Containing This Character20
发泄fāxièto give vent to (one's feelings)發洩
泄露xièlùto divulge
泄xièto drip
泄漏xièlòuto leak
宣泄xuānxièto divulge宣洩
泄密xièmìto leak secrets洩密
排泄to drain (factory waste etc)
泄气xièqìto leak (gas)洩氣
排泄物excrement
水泄不通lit. not one drop can trickle through (idiom); fig. impenetrable (crowd, traffic)水洩不通
泄愤to give vent to anger洩憤
泄洪flood discharge洩洪
外泄to leak (usually secret information)
早泄premature ejaculation早洩
泄泻loose bowels洩瀉
泄恨to give vent to anger洩恨
泄殖腔cloaca洩殖腔
天机不可泄漏I am not at liberty to inform you.天機不可泄漏
泄底to divulge the inside story洩底
泄私愤to vent personal spite洩私憤
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 发泄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洩
Yes, while it's more common in technical contexts, it can also be used informally when talking about leaks or emotional release.
Focus on the tone and context: 洩 (xiè) is more about physical leaks, while 泄 (xiè) can refer to emotional or abstract leaks.
Yes, both can mean to leak, but 漏 often refers specifically to leaks in physical containers, while 洩 can have broader meanings.
