渫 (xiè) - To dredge, clear out & to remove sediment

渫Tone 4

xiè ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

渫 · xiè

To dredge, clear out;

to remove sediment;

to discharge;

to leak out;

to scatter, disperse;

also used as a surname.

To dredge, clear outto remove sedimentto discharge

Usage highlights

Dredge a riverClear a wellLeak informationSurname XièRemove filthDisperse and leave

Synonyms

  • 疏— to dredge, clear out
  • 浚— to dredge, deepen
  • 泄— to leak, discharge

Antonyms

  • 堵— to block up
  • 塞— to clog, stop up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The workers dredged the river (渫河).
  • The ancient well needed clearing (井渫).
  • Information was leaked (泄渫).
  • The surname Xiè is written as 渫 (渫姓).

Collocations

  • Dredge a river(渫河)
  • Clear a well(井渫)
  • Leak information(泄渫)
  • Surname Xiè(渫姓)
  • Remove filth(渫恶)
  • Disperse and leave(渫散)

Idioms

  • A well that has been cleansed is not drunk from(井渫不食)
  • Dredge the mud and wash the filth(渫泥浣垢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical texts like the I Ching (Yijing) in the phrase '井渫不食' describing a purified well that goes unused, metaphorically for unrecognized talent.
  • Used in ancient Chinese engineering contexts for water management and canal maintenance.
  • Rare surname with historical roots.

FAQ