潇

瀟

xiāo

氵 + 萧

Frequency#3216

Definitions

xiāo (adjective) (of water) deep and clear

xiāo (adjective) (of wind and rain) howling and pounding; (of light rain) pattering

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 萧 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瀟.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 萧

About

The character "潇" originates from its traditional form "瀟", structurally composed of the water radical (氵) and the component "蕭", which initially served as a phonetic element and contributed semantic associations with desolation or natural sounds, first referring specifically to the Xiao River in ancient China. Its meaning gradually extended from this geographic reference to describe the characteristics of deep and clear water, and later in literary contexts, it evolved to convey abstract notions of natural elegance and a free, unrestrained demeanor. The simplified form "潇" maintains the water radical but replaces the complex "蕭" with the simplified component "肃".

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的态度很潇洒。

Tā de tàidù hěn xiāosǎ.

His attitude is very carefree.

她潇洒地拒绝了邀请。

Tā xiāosǎ de jùjué le yāoqǐng.

She gracefully declined the invitation.

窗外风雨潇潇。

Chuāng wài fēngyǔ xiāoxiāo.

Outside the window, the wind and rain are pattering.

他过着潇洒的生活。

Tā guòzhe xiāosǎ de shēnghuó.

He leads a free and easy life.

在潇潇的秋雨中，我们漫步。

Zài xiāoxiāo de qiūyǔ zhōng, wǒmen mànbù.

In the pattering autumn rain, we stroll.

他的书法笔法潇洒。

Tā de shūfǎ bǐfǎ xiāosǎ.

His calligraphy brushwork is graceful.

尽管困难重重，他依然潇洒面对。

Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, tā yīrán xiāosǎ miànduì.

Despite numerous difficulties, he still faces them with ease.

那位设计师的作品风格潇洒自然。

Nà wèi shèjì shī de zuòpǐn fēnggé xiāosǎ zìrán.

That designer's works have a graceful and natural style.

Related Characters

Component: 氵

Component: 萧

潇