Definitions

(noun) creek; stream

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of 谿.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 溪, representing a mountain stream or brook, is structurally composed of the water radical 氵 paired with the component 奚, which primarily functions as a phonetic indicator while subtly echoing connotations of minor or winding passages. This semantic-phonetic arrangement aligns with conventional character formation practices, where the radical categorizes it within water-related concepts and the phonetic element guides its pronunciation, a design that has persisted without major structural change. Over time, the meaning of 溪 has maintained a specific focus on denoting natural, often narrow, watercourses flowing through valleys, showing little deviation from its original lexical purpose. Its consistent application across texts underscores a stable relationship between the character's form and its referent, with the integrated components continuing to encapsulate the essence of a small, flowing body of water within constrained landscapes.

Example Sentences Hide

水很清。

Xiǎo xī shuǐ hěn qīng.

The stream water is very clear.

流声音很好听。

Xīliú shēngyīn hěn hǎotīng.

The sound of the stream is very pleasant.

公园里有一条小

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu yī tiáo xiǎo xī.

There is a small stream in the park.

水清澈,可以看到底。

Xīshuǐ qīngchè, kěyǐ kàn dào dǐ.

The stream water is clear, and you can see the bottom.

下雨后,水涨了很多。

Xià yǔ hòu, xīshuǐ zhǎngle hěnduō.

After the rain, the stream water rose a lot.

夏天,我们喜欢在边玩耍。

Xiàtiān, wǒmen xǐhuan zài xī biān wánshuǎ.

In summer, we like to play by the stream.

这条流从山上流下来,穿过森林。

Zhè tiáo xīliú cóng shān shàng liú xiàlái, chuānguò sēnlín.

This stream flows down from the mountain and passes through the forest.

由于污染,水的质量变差了。

Yóuyú wūrǎn, xīshuǐ de zhìliàng biàn chà le.

Due to pollution, the quality of the stream water has deteriorated.