Definitions

to soak; to be stained; stain; floodwater

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

, the simplified form of , is a phono-semantic compound. The water radical on the left anchors its meanings in the realm of liquids, soaking, and staining, while (zé, from traditional ) on the right supplies the pronunciation. It functions as a noun meaning "stain" or a verb "to soak, steep, or be stained". Over time, its sense extended from the literal process of absorbing liquid to the residual marks left behind, such as oil spots, mud stains, or watermarks on fabric.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件衬衫有汗

Zhè jiàn chènshān yǒu hànzì.

This shirt has sweat stains.

她用柠檬去除污

Tā yòng níngméng qùchú wūzì.

She uses lemon to remove the stain.

洪水过后,墙上留下了水

Hóngshuǐ guòhòu, qiáng shàng liúxiàle shuǐzì.

After the flood, water marks were left on the wall.

这些酱菜是精心腌的。

Zhèxiē jiàngcài shì jīngxīn yānzì de.

These pickles are carefully cured.

的黄瓜非常开胃。

Suānzì de huángguā fēicháng kāiwèi.

The pickled cucumbers are very appetizing.

这块布料经过了防处理。

Zhè kuài bùliào jīngguòle fángzì chǔlǐ.

This piece of fabric has been treated to be stain-resistant.

电池漏液把设备内部都坏了。

Diànchí lòuyè bǎ shèbèi nèibù dōu zì huàile.

The leaking battery fluid corroded the inside of the device.

古代工匠利用植物染料浸丝帛。

Gǔdài gōngjiàng lìyòng zhíwù rǎnliào jìnzì sī bó.

Ancient craftsmen used plant dyes to soak and dye silks.