About
The character 染 means to dye or color, and by extension, to acquire a habit or disease through exposure. It is a compound character with the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) on the left, representing the liquid dye. The right side consists of 九 (jiǔ, nine) on top, alluding to the many dips required in the dyeing vat, and 木 (mù, wood) below, indicating the plant-based sources of natural dyes. Its meaning thus evolved from the literal textile process to metaphorical notions of influence or contamination.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
她染了红指甲。
这件衣服容易染色。
他感染了感冒。
河流被污染了。
环境污染很严重。
他的笑容感染了大家。
为了避免感染病毒，我们要洗手。
这种新型染料能染出鲜艳的颜色。