(jiāo) - to water & to irrigate

Tone 1

jiāo | 9 strokes | radical:

· jiāo

to water;

to irrigate;

to pour liquid;

to cast (metal);

to sprinkle;

to drench;

to thin out (with liquid)

to waterto irrigateto pour liquid

Usage highlights

Water flowersIrrigate fieldsPour concreteCast metalSprinkle waterDrench with rain

Synonyms

  • to irrigate, to pour
  • to sprinkle, to spray
  • to drench, to pour

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Water the flowers (浇花).
  • Pour concrete (浇混凝土).
  • Cast iron (浇铸).
  • Thin out with water (浇薄).

Collocations

  • Water flowers(浇花)
  • Irrigate fields(浇地)
  • Pour concrete(浇混凝土)
  • Cast metal(浇铸)
  • Sprinkle water(浇水)
  • Drench with rain(浇淋)

Idioms

  • To pour wine to make a libation(浇奠)
  • To drown one's sorrows in drink(借酒浇愁)
  • To cast metal and pour into a mold(浇铸成型)
  • Worldly and frivolous(浇风薄俗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to irrigation in agricultural contexts, crucial for farming in ancient China.
  • Extended to metal casting techniques, important in traditional Chinese metallurgy.
  • Used metaphorically for pouring liquids in rituals and ceremonies.
  • Can carry negative connotations when describing diluted or frivolous customs.

FAQ