Meanings of 淋
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About 淋
Podcast: 淋
Podcast: 淋
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AI study notes for 淋
洒 (sǎ) means to splash or sprinkle liquid in a more dispersed manner, while 淋 (lín) emphasizes a more controlled dripping or pouring action.
Be careful not to confuse 淋 (lín) with similar-sounding words, as it can lead to misunderstanding in both spoken and written contexts. This character is often used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing, especially in TCM discussions. Common collocations include 淋浴 (lín yù - to take a shower) and 淋湿 (lín shī - to get wet).
As a level 6 HSK word, 淋 connects with other HSK 6 words like 滴 (dī - to drip) and 流 (liú - to flow), focusing on liquid-related terms. Students should practice both its pronunciation and its different contexts to understand its versatility fully.
Learners often confuse 淋 with the character 洗 (xǐ - to wash), leading to phrases like '洗湿' instead of the correct '淋湿'. Remember that 淋 specifically involves dripping or pouring, while 洗 relates to washing.
Pronunciation of 淋
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Jason Explains 淋 to you
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Learning Lab
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 淋
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 林 represents the sound.
water
Origin
淋 = 氵 + 林. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 淋
Parts
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How to say to sprinkle in Chinese
“to sprinkle” in Chinese is淋
The character 淋 (lín) primarily means to sprinkle, drip, or pour, often referring to the action of liquid falling or being applied in small amounts. It is commonly used in both everyday contexts, such as cooking or watering plants, as well as in medical terminology, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to describe symptoms related to urination.
When to use 淋
Be careful not to confuse 淋 (lín) with similar-sounding words, as it can lead to misunderstanding in both spoken and written contexts. This character is often used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing, especially in TCM discussions. Common collocations include 淋浴 (lín yù - to take a shower) and 淋湿 (lín shī - to get wet).
淋 or something close to it
洒 (sǎ) means to splash or sprinkle liquid in a more dispersed manner, while 淋 (lín) emphasizes a more controlled dripping or pouring action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 淋 with the character 洗 (xǐ - to wash), leading to phrases like '洗湿' instead of the correct '淋湿'. Remember that 淋 specifically involves dripping or pouring, while 洗 relates to washing.
Write 淋
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Practice writing 淋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 淋
淋 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
衣服已经被雨____湿了，我索性就合上了伞，直接在雨中散步了。
My clothes were already soaked by the rain, so I just closed my umbrella and walked in the rain.
Common confusions with 淋
Same pronunciation, but different meanings.
Which one
Which one means “to sprinkle”?
Example sentences for 淋 (10)
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Word Family of 淋
Words with 淋
What does 冰淇淋 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 淋
While both relate to liquids, 淋 (lín) suggests a more continuous action of pouring or sprinkling, whereas 滴 (dī) specifically refers to the act of dripping.
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