水 Water in Chinese Characters 💦💧

Water plays a vital role in Chinese culture, language, and history. It is not only essential for sustaining life, but also holds symbolic and spiritual significance. Here are Chinese characters that use water.

1. 氵The water radical (氵) is one of the 214 Kangxi radicals, which are the building blocks of many Chinese characters. The water radical, also known as “three dots of water” (sāndiǎnshuǐ), is a variant of the character 水 (shuǐ), meaning “water.” It appears on the left side of characters and often indicates that the character is related to water or liquids.
2. 水 (shuǐ): This is the most common and basic character for “water” in Chinese. It is used widely in everyday language, and you’ll find it in various contexts related to water.
3. 沝 (lì or bì): This character is not commonly used in modern Chinese. It is a variant of the more common character 淥 (lù), which means “clear water” or “to filter water”. The character 沝 combines the water radical (氵) with the character 吏, which does not have a specific meaning related to water.
4. 㴇 (xī): This character is a rare and archaic one, and you are unlikely to encounter it in everyday Chinese. It is related to water and possibly represents a small stream or brook. The character combines the water radical (氵) with the character 巳, which is used to represent the 6th of the 12 Earthly Branches in the Chinese zodiac.
5. 淼 (miǎo): This character is a pictographic representation of a large body of water or vast expanse of water. It is composed of three “water” characters (水) stacked together, which is meant to convey the idea of a large amount of water. It is not commonly used in everyday language but might be found in literature or idiomatic expressions.
6. 㵘 (chuàn): This character is quite uncommon and does not have a specific meaning in modern Chinese. It is believed to represent some kind of water-related phenomenon or object, given that it combines the water radical (氵) with the character 㚘, which does not have a clear meaning related to water.

Here are 10 Chinese words with the water radical and their meanings:

1. 河 (hé) – River . This character combines the water radical with the character 可, which means “can” or “may” but does not have a specific water-related meaning.
2. 洗 (xǐ) – To wash or clean 🧼. This character is composed of the water radical and the character 先, which means “first” or “before.” It implies the action of washing or cleaning something with water.
3. 泳 (yǒng) – Swim 🏊. This character pairs the water radical with the character 永, meaning “forever” or “eternal.” It denotes the action of swimming in water.
4. 汽 (qì) – Steam, vapor 💨. This character is made up of the water radical and the character 气, which means “air” or “gas.” It represents the gaseous state of water.
5. 海 (hǎi) – Sea, ocean 🌊. This character combines the water radical with the character 每, which means “every” or “each.” It is used to describe large bodies of saltwater, such as seas and oceans.
6. 泡 (pào) – Bubble, foam; to soak 🛁. This character pairs the water radical with the character 包, meaning “to wrap” or “to cover.” It can refer to bubbles or foam in a liquid, or the action of soaking something in water.
7. 油 (yóu) – Oil, grease 🛢️. This character has the water radical with the character 由, which means “cause” or “reason.” It represents oily or greasy substances, often in a liquid state.
8. 湖 (hú) – Lake . This character combines the water radical with the character 胡, which means “beard” or “recklessly” but does not have a specific water-related meaning. It refers to a body of water surrounded by land, such as a lake.
9. 汁 (zhī) – Juice, liquid, sap 🥤. This character pairs the water radical with the character 十, which means “ten” but does not have a specific water-related meaning. It represents the liquid that comes from fruits, vegetables, or other organic materials.
10. 活 (huó) – To live, alive; lively . This character combines the water radical with the character 舌 👅, meaning “tongue” or “speech.” It conveys the idea of living or being alive, as well as being active or lively.

Water is a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, representing life, fertility, and renewal. It is often associated with the feminine principle of yin (阴) in the yin-yang (阴阳) philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and balance of opposing forces in the universe.

In traditional Chinese medicine, water is one of the Five Elements (五行, wǔxíng) that govern the human body and the natural world. Each element corresponds to specific organs, emotions, and other aspects of life. Water is associated with the kidneys and bladder, as well as the emotions of fear and determination.

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing one’s environment, also places great importance on water. Water features, such as fountains and ponds, are commonly used in feng shui design to promote wealth, prosperity, and relaxation.

Famous Rivers in China

China is home to several famous rivers that have played crucial roles in the country’s history, culture, and economic development.

1. Yangtze River (长江, Chángjiāng): As the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world, the Yangtze River has long been a critical transportation route and source of water for millions of people. The river is also known for its stunning natural beauty, including the dramatic Three Gorges.
2. Yellow River (黄河, Huánghé): Often referred to as the “cradle of Chinese civilization,” the Yellow River is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world. The river is named for the yellow silt it carries, which has historically been used to fertilize the surrounding farmland.
3. Pearl River (珠江, Zhūjiāng): The Pearl River, located in southern China, is named after the pearl-colored shells that lie at the bottom of the river. It is an essential waterway for trade and transportation, and the river delta is home to the bustling cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.