渗 (shèn) - to seep & to permeate

渗Tone 4

shèn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

渗 · shèn

to seep;

to permeate;

to ooze;

to infiltrate;

to leak through gradually

to seepto permeateto ooze

Usage highlights

seep throughpermeateleakageseepageosmosisinfiltration

Synonyms

  • 透— to penetrate; to pass through
  • 浸— to soak; to immerse
  • 漏— to leak; to seep out

Antonyms

  • 堵— to block; to stop up
  • 塞— to plug; to clog
  • 封— to seal; to close

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Water is seeping through the wall (水从墙上渗出来).
  • The dye permeated the fabric (染料渗入布料).
  • Blood oozed from the wound (血从伤口渗出).
  • Moisture has infiltrated the basement (湿气渗入了地下室).

Collocations

  • seep through(渗入)
  • permeate(渗透)
  • leakage(渗漏)
  • seepage(渗流)
  • osmosis(渗透作用)
  • infiltration(渗入)

Idioms

  • Permeate everywhere(无孔不入)
  • Dripping water penetrates stone(水滴石穿)
  • Gradual influence(潜移默化)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in contexts describing gradual, imperceptible processes in both physical and metaphorical senses.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, describes the permeation of medicinal properties or pathological factors.
  • Used metaphorically for cultural influence or the spread of ideas.

FAQ