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March 24, 2026
淅xī(xi1)
The character 淅 (xī) primarily refers to the sound of light rain or the gentle sound of water, such as when washing rice. It can also evoke the imagery of water flowing softly, often used in poetic contexts to describe serene landscapes or gentle weather conditions.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound and imagery of rain hold significant meaning, often symbolizing renewal and tranquility. The character 淅 captures a serene moment in nature, reflecting the appreciation for subtle environmental sounds.
Memory Tip
Imagine a soft rain falling on your rice as you wash it, creating a gentle 'xī' sound. The character 淅 has the water radical 水 (shuǐ) on the left, emphasizing its connection to water, while the right side suggests a flowing or gentle movement.
Meanings of 淅
xī(xi1)
1water used wash rice
2(onom.) sound of rain, sleet etc
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About 淅
淅Simplified
11Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 淅
Podcast: 淅
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AI Study Notes for 淅
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a soft rain falling on your rice as you wash it, creating a gentle 'xī' sound. The character 淅 has the water radical 水 (shuǐ) on the left, emphasizing its connection to water, while the right side suggests a flowing or gentle movement.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 淅 with similar-sounding characters; ensure you practice distinguishing it from those that have different meanings. This character is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Collocations include phrases related to weather and nature.
HSK Study Tips
Although 淅 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to HSK level 3 words like 雨 (yǔ, rain) and 水 (shuǐ, water). Focus on understanding its usage in context, particularly in literature and poetry, to deepen your appreciation of the language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the sound and imagery of rain hold significant meaning, often symbolizing renewal and tranquility. The character 淅 captures a serene moment in nature, reflecting the appreciation for subtle environmental sounds.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 淅 with the character 西 (xī, west) due to the similar pronunciation. Always remember that 淅 relates to water and sound, while 西 indicates direction.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 淅
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Cultural Notes for 淅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the sound and imagery of rain hold significant meaning, often symbolizing renewal and tranquility. The character 淅 captures a serene moment in nature, reflecting the appreciation for subtle environmental sounds.
Word Family of 淅
Words Containing This Character4
淅xī(onom.) sound of rain, sleet etc
淅沥(onom.) patter of rain淅瀝
淅川县Xichuan county in Nanyang 南陽|南阳[Nányáng], Henan淅川縣
淅川Xichuan county in Nanyang 南陽|南阳[Nányáng], Henan
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 淅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 淅
淅 means the sound of light rain or the gentle flow of water, especially in the context of washing rice.
You might say, '外面淅淅沥沥的下着小雨' (Wàimiàn xī xī lì lì de xià zhe xiǎo yǔ), meaning 'It's drizzling outside with a light rain sound.'
No, 淅 is more commonly found in literary and poetic contexts rather than in daily speech.
