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March 24, 2026
浇(澆)jiāo(jiao1)
The verb '浇' (jiāo) means to pour or sprinkle liquid, often in the context of watering plants or irrigating fields. It can also refer to the process of casting molten metal or molding substances. This character is commonly used in agricultural contexts as well as in discussions about metalworking.
Strokes9Radical氵Frequency#7189DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, irrigation is vital for agriculture due to the varying climate conditions across regions. '浇' reflects the traditional importance of water management in farming practices, highlighting the connection between nature and sustenance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gardener 'pouring' water on plants, which looks like a hand holding a watering can pouring down. The character '浇' has the water radical '氵' on the left, symbolizing its liquid meaning, while the right part resembles a hand in motion, helping you remember 'to pour'.
Meanings of 浇
jiāo(jiao1)
1to pour liquid
2to irrigate (using waterwheel)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 浇
浇Simplified
澆Traditional
9Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7189Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 浇
Podcast: 浇
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AI Study Notes for 浇
Quick Contrast
浇 (jiāo) vs 灌 (guàn) — use 浇 for light pouring or sprinkling, while 灌 emphasizes filling something up completely.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a gardener 'pouring' water on plants, which looks like a hand holding a watering can pouring down. The character '浇' has the water radical '氵' on the left, symbolizing its liquid meaning, while the right part resembles a hand in motion, helping you remember 'to pour'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse '浇' with similar-sounding words like '交' (jiāo), which means to hand over or exchange. '浇' is typically used in informal contexts, but it can also appear in more formal agricultural discussions. Common collocations include '浇水' (jiāo shuǐ) meaning 'to water'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '浇' connects with other verbs related to actions, particularly those involving movement or application of substances. Focus on its uses in agricultural contexts and practice combining it with water-related nouns.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, irrigation is vital for agriculture due to the varying climate conditions across regions. '浇' reflects the traditional importance of water management in farming practices, highlighting the connection between nature and sustenance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly pronounce '浇' with a falling tone, resulting in confusion with other words. It's important to remember that '浇' is pronounced with a high level tone: 'jiāo', not 'jiào'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 浇
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Grammar Patterns of 浇
浇 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.
That was adding insult to injury. Even more Chinese people were infuriated.
Cultural Notes for 浇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, irrigation is vital for agriculture due to the varying climate conditions across regions. '浇' reflects the traditional importance of water management in farming practices, highlighting the connection between nature and sustenance.
Word Family of 浇
Words Containing This Character9
浇jiāoto water澆
浇水to water (plants etc)澆水
浇灌to water澆灌
火上浇油to enrage people and make matters worse火上澆油
浇注to cast (metal)澆注
浇铸to mold澆鑄
借酒浇愁to drown one's sorrows (in alcohol)借酒澆愁
盖浇饭rice with meat and vegetables蓋澆飯
浇冷水to pour cold water澆冷水
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 浇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 浇
'浇水' (to water) and '浇灌' (to irrigate) are common expressions that include this verb.
Yes, '浇' can also be used metaphorically, such as in '浇灭' (to extinguish), meaning to pour out something to put it out.
'浇' is pronounced as 'jiāo' with a high level tone.
