湍 (tuān) - Rapids & swift current

湍Tone 1

tuān ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

湍 · tuān

Rapids;

swift current;

rushing water;

turbulent flow.

Rapidsswift currentrushing water

Usage highlights

swift currentrushing waterrapid flowturbulent rivertorrential rapidsviolent current

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river flows rapidly here (水流湍急).
  • We need to navigate through the rapids (穿过湍流).
  • The boat entered the turbulent waters (进入湍湍急流).
  • Be careful of the swift current (湍急的水流).

Collocations

  • swift current(湍流)
  • rushing water(湍水)
  • rapid flow(湍急)
  • turbulent river(湍河)
  • torrential rapids(湍湍)
  • violent current(急湍)

Idioms

  • Swift as an arrow, rapid as a torrent(急如星火，湍若奔马)
  • Rushing torrents and roaring waterfalls(湍流飞瀑)
  • Navigating through treacherous rapids(涉湍履险)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Frequently appears in classical Chinese literature describing dangerous river conditions and natural power.
  • Often used metaphorically in poetry to represent urgency, danger, or unstoppable force.
  • In traditional Chinese landscape painting,湍流 represents the dynamic energy of water in nature.

FAQ