泄

洩

xiè

世 + 氵

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

xiè (verb) to leak (of water or gas); to discharge; to drain

xiè (verb) to divulge (secrets)

xiè (verb) to vent (anger, emotions)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 世 represents the sound. Simplified form of 洩.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 世

About

泄 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 洩. The left side 氵 (water) indicates an association with liquids, while the right side 世 provides the sound. Originally it described physical leakage: water branching off from a main stream, liquid seeping out of a container, or fluid escaping. Over time, the meaning expanded figuratively to the leaking of confidential information and the venting of pent-up emotions such as anger or frustration. Although 世 means "generation", "world", or "lifetime" when used independently, it serves only a phonetic role here.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

水管泄漏了。

Shuǐguǎn xièlòu le.

The water pipe leaked.

他泄气地走了。

Tā xièqì de zǒu le.

He left dejectedly.

不要泄露个人信息。

Bùyào xièlù gèrén xìnxī.

Do not disclose personal information.

工厂排泄废水被罚款。

Gōngchǎng páixiè fèishuǐ bèi fákuǎn.

The factory was fined for discharging wastewater.

他因泄密而被公司开除。

Tā yīn xièmì ér bèi gōngsī kāichú.

He was fired by the company for leaking secrets.

情绪需要适当宣泄以免压抑。

Qíngxù xūyào shìdàng xuānxiè yǐmiǎn yāyì.

Emotions need to be properly vented to avoid repression.

水库泄洪是为了防止洪水泛滥。

Shuǐkù xièhóng shì wèile fángzhǐ hóngshuǐ fànlàn.

The reservoir released floodwaters to prevent flooding.

法律严禁泄露国家机密的行为。

Fǎlǜ yánjìn xièlù guójiā jīmì de xíngwéi.

The law strictly prohibits the disclosure of state secrets.

Related Characters

Component: 世

Component: 氵

泄