涓 (juān) - tiny stream & trickle

涓Tone 1

juān ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

涓 · juān

tiny stream;

trickle;

a small flow of water;

to select;

to eliminate.

tiny streamtricklea small flow of water

Usage highlights

tiny streamtrickleto select carefullyto eliminatesmall contributionslender water

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 洪— flood; deluge
  • 滔— inundating; overflowing

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A trickle of water flows into the river (涓涓细流).
  • Every little bit helps (涓滴归公).
  • He carefully selected the materials (涓选材料).
  • The stream flows ceaselessly (涓流不息).

Collocations

  • tiny stream(涓流)
  • trickle(涓滴)
  • to select carefully(涓选)
  • to eliminate(涓除)
  • small contribution(涓埃)
  • slender water(涓水)

Idioms

  • Every little bit helps(涓滴归公)
  • Accumulating little by little(涓埃之功)
  • A tiny stream can become a river(涓涓不壅，终为江河)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character embodies the Daoist concept of valuing small beginnings and the power of accumulation.
  • It is often used in contexts emphasizing meticulousness, careful selection, and frugality.
  • In historical texts, it can refer to the act of purification or refining through careful elimination.

FAQ