洼 (wā) - low-lying & hollow

洼Tone 1

wā ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

洼 · wā

low-lying;

hollow;

depression;

swamp;

marsh

low-lyinghollowdepression

Usage highlights

lowwatermud puddledepression areamarsh gaslake basin

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The road is full of potholes (洼地).
  • This area is a low-lying basin (洼陷).
  • The water collected in the hollow (水洼).
  • The car got stuck in the mud puddle (泥洼).

Collocations

  • low-lying land(洼地)
  • water-filled depression(水洼)
  • mud puddle(泥洼)
  • depression area(洼陷)
  • marsh gas(洼气)
  • lake basin(湖洼)

Idioms

  • A ravine full of brambles(荆棘满洼)
  • A low-lying land that collects water(水归洼处)
  • The humble valley can contain everything(洼则盈)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, the concept of '洼' (lowliness) is sometimes associated with the Daoist idea of humility and receptivity, as expressed in the Dao De Jing: 'The highest excellence is like water... it dwells in lowly places that all disdain.'
  • Historically, low-lying areas were often associated with marshlands and agricultural challenges, but also with natural water collection and fertility.

FAQ