淤 (yū) - silt & sediment

淤Tone 1

yū ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

淤 · yū

silt;

sediment;

mud;

to become clogged or congested;

to stagnate;

to be blocked up

siltsedimentmud

Usage highlights

siltationblood stasissiltsilt upsediment depositionmuddy

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 通— unblocked; flowing
  • 畅— smooth; free-flowing
  • 清— clear

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river channel is silted up (河道淤塞).
  • Blood stasis causes pain (淤血 causes pain).
  • The pond is full of mud (池塘里都是淤泥).
  • His legs became swollen due to poor circulation (他的腿因循环不畅而淤肿).

Collocations

  • siltation(淤积)
  • blood stasis(淤血)
  • silt(淤泥)
  • silt up(淤塞)
  • sediment deposition(淤沉)
  • muddy(淤浊)

Idioms

  • Accumulated silt blocks the flow(淤塞不通)
  • Stagnant blood causing internal obstruction(淤血内阻)
  • Sediment accumulates and becomes land(淤积成陆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, '淤' refers to blood stasis, considered a major cause of various diseases.
  • Historically important in water management contexts, referring to the siltation of rivers and canals.
  • Associated with the concept of stagnation or blockage in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

FAQ