unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #13928, Very Hard
渍
zì
stain
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #13928, Very Hard
渍
zì
floodwater
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #13928, Very Hard
zì(zi4) T4
1to soak, to steep; dye, stains; sodden
2to be stained
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March 24, 2026
渍(漬)zì(zi4)
The character 渍 (zì) primarily means to soak or steep something in liquid, often referring to the process of dyeing or staining. It can also denote the presence of a stain on an object or describe something that is sodden or soaked with water. This word is commonly used in contexts related to cooking, cleaning, and dyeing textiles.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#13928DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese dyeing techniques, soaking fabrics in natural dyes is a common practice, and the character 渍 reflects this important aspect of textile production in Chinese culture. It highlights the significance of color and artistry in Chinese textiles.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big pot of water where food is soaking, and you see the colors leaching out into the water. The water is so full of color that it looks 'zì' (like 'dizzy') from all the soaking! The character 渍 combines the water radical (氵) and a character that represents earth (土), implying that something is soaking into the ground.
Meanings of 渍
zì(zi4)
1to soak, to steep; dye, stains; sodden
2to be stained
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 渍
渍Simplified
漬Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 渍
Podcast: 渍
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AI Study Notes for 渍
Quick Contrast
浸 (jìn) - use 渍 when emphasizing the result of soaking or staining, while 浸 focuses more on the action of immersing something in liquid.
Usage Notes
When using 渍, be aware that it can imply both intentional and unintentional soaking. Avoid confusing it with similar words like 泡 (pào), which specifically refers to soaking for a short time, as 渍 implies a longer process. It is more often used in informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 渍 is not currently included in the HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to cooking and cleaning found in HSK 3 and 4. Focus on learning its application in everyday scenarios, such as cooking methods or household chores.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 渍 with the character 泡 (pào), thinking both mean to soak. However, 泡 implies a shorter soaking time, while 渍 suggests a more prolonged immersion. For example, saying '我把衣服泡在水里' (wǒ bǎ yīfú pào zài shuǐ lǐ) should be corrected to '我把衣服渍在水里'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 渍
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Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 责 represents the sound. Simplified form of 漬.
1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
2The sound half责 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 渍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 渍?
Decomposition of 渍
IDS Structure⿰氵责
渍Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
责ze2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 渍?
How to say to soak, to steep; dye, stains; sodden in Chinese
“to soak, to steep; dye, stains; sodden” in Chinese is渍zì
The character 渍 (zì) primarily means to soak or steep something in liquid, often referring to the process of dyeing or staining. It can also denote the presence of a stain on an object or describe something that is sodden or soaked with water. This word is commonly used in contexts related to cooking, cleaning, and dyeing textiles.
When to use 渍
When using 渍, be aware that it can imply both intentional and unintentional soaking. Avoid confusing it with similar words like 泡 (pào), which specifically refers to soaking for a short time, as 渍 implies a longer process. It is more often used in informal contexts.
渍 or something close to it
浸 (jìn) - use 渍 when emphasizing the result of soaking or staining, while 浸 focuses more on the action of immersing something in liquid.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 渍 with the character 泡 (pào), thinking both mean to soak. However, 泡 implies a shorter soaking time, while 渍 suggests a more prolonged immersion. For example, saying '我把衣服泡在水里' (wǒ bǎ yīfú pào zài shuǐ lǐ) should be corrected to '我把衣服渍在水里'.
Write 渍
渍
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Practice writing 渍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 渍
渍 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 4 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
试试用柠檬汁去除手指上的烟____。
Try using lemon juice to remove tobacco stains from your fingers.
