About
The character 污 is a phono-semantic compound, with the water radical 氵 on the left indicating its semantic category and the component 亏 on the right providing its pronunciation. Historical variants like 汙 and 汚 existed, using different phonetic elements such as 于 while retaining the core water-based meaning. Originally, it referred to stagnant water or a puddle. This literal sense of unclean water and physical dirtiness broadened to include the concepts of filth and stains, and further extended into abstract meanings such as moral corruption, defilement, slander, and environmental pollution.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这条河被污染了。
工厂排放污水。
衣服上有污点。
厨房里有很多污垢。
他不应该污蔑别人。
污辱他人是不对的。
那个官员因贪污被捕。
如果继续污染环境，后果将很严重。