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The character 澹 combines the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) with the phonetic component 詹 (zhān). It means tranquil or placid, originally describing the calm surface or gentle movement of water. This sense extends metaphorically to a peaceful state of mind, an unpretentious manner, or indifference to worldly desires, often interchangeable with 淡 (dàn). The structure uses the imagery of still water to convey both external serenity and inner peace.
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