Definitions

to dry; to dry up

Etymology

To run out of strength  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 涸, meaning dried up or parched, is structurally formed by the water radical 氵 combined with the component 固, which denotes solidity or firmness, conceptually illustrating water that has become fixed or depleted. Its etymology stems from this compositional logic, where the phonetic element 固 also contributes semantically to the notion of a hardened, residual state after evaporation. Historically, the term has consistently referred to the drying of water bodies such as rivers and wells, while its application expanded metaphorically to describe the exhaustion of abstract resources like energy or funds. The character's form has remained stable without notable alteration, and its enduring use in classical idioms, like 涸辙之鲋, underscores a long-standing association with water scarcity and its consequent hardships.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

河水已经干了。

Héshuǐ yǐjīng gānhé le.

The river has already dried up.

长期的干旱使这片湖泊逐渐竭。

Chángqī de gānhàn shǐ zhè piàn húpō zhújiàn héjié.

The prolonged drought has gradually dried up this lake.

土地因缺水而变得干开裂。

Tǔdì yīn quē shuǐ ér biànde gānhé kāiliè.

The land has become dry, cracked, and parched due to lack of water.

我们必须节约用水,防止水库竭。

Wǒmen bìxū jiéyuē yòngshuǐ, fángzhǐ shuǐkù héjié.

We must conserve water to prevent the reservoir from running dry.

过度开采地下水会导致地下水源竭。

Guòdù kāicǎi dìxiàshuǐ huì dǎozhì dìxià shuǐyuán héjié.

Over-exploitation of groundwater will lead to the depletion of underground water sources.

他的灵感像一口永不竭的泉水。

Tā de línggǎn xiàng yī kǒu yǒng bù héjié de quánshuǐ.

His inspiration is like a spring that never runs dry.

在沙漠中,找到一处未的水源至关重要。

Zài shāmò zhōng, zhǎodào yī chù wèi hé de shuǐyuán zhìguān zhòngyào.

In the desert, finding an unfailing water source is crucial.

人类对自然的无尽索取终将使生命之泉竭。

Rénlèi duì zìrán de wújìn suǒqǔ zhōng jiāng shǐ shēngmìng zhī quán héjié.

Humanity's endless exploitation of nature will eventually dry up the spring of life.