洇 (yīn) - To soak & to permeate

洇Tone 1

yīn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

懿嘤

洇 · yīn

To soak;

to permeate;

to be stained by ink spreading on paper;

to moisten.

To soakto permeateto be stained by ink spreading on paper

Usage highlights

Ink bleedingPaper soakingWater permeatingMoistening soilInk spreadingDamp spreading

Synonyms

  • 浸— to soak, to immerse
  • 渗— to seep, to permeate
  • 润— to moisten, to lubricate

Antonyms

  • 干— dry
  • 燥— arid, parched

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ink bled on the paper (墨水洇开了).
  • The paper got wet and the writing smudged (纸洇了).
  • Water seeped into the soil (水洇入土中).
  • Tears soaked the letter (泪水洇湿了信纸).

Collocations

  • Ink bleeding(墨水洇)
  • Paper soaking(纸洇了)
  • Water permeating(水洇)
  • Moistening soil(洇土)
  • Ink spreading(洇墨)
  • Damp spreading(洇湿)

Idioms

  • Ink spreading like clouds(墨洇如云)
  • Tears soaking the silk(泪洇罗绢)
  • Moisture penetrating deeply(洇润入骨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Associated with traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, where controlled ink bleeding (洇) can be either a flaw or an artistic effect.
  • In literary contexts, often used metaphorically to describe tears soaking through paper or fabric, conveying deep emotion.
  • The character reflects the importance of ink and paper in Chinese scholarly culture.

FAQ