湔 (jiān) - To wash, cleanse, rinse & to purge or atone for

湔Tone 1

jiān ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

湔 · jiān

To wash, cleanse, rinse;

to purge or atone for;

historically refers to washing away sins or stains.

To wash, cleanse, rinseto purge or atone forhistorically refers to washing away sins or stains.

Usage highlights

Wash awayCleanse and purifyWash away past faultsWash away shameWash the faceWash away sins

Synonyms

  • 洗— to wash, clean
  • 涤— to cleanse, wash away
  • 濯— to wash, cleanse

Antonyms

  • 污— to stain, defile
  • 染— to dye, contaminate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river washes the shore (湔洗河岸).
  • He wants to wash away his past mistakes (湔洗前非).
  • This ritual cleanses the spirit (湔涤心灵).
  • The fabric needs thorough rinsing (湔涤布料).

Collocations

  • Wash away(湔洗)
  • Cleanse and purify(湔涤)
  • Wash away past faults(湔雪前耻)
  • Wash away shame(湔雪)
  • Wash the face(湔面)
  • Wash away sins(湔罪)

Idioms

  • Wash away past shame(湔雪前耻)
  • Wash away faults and start anew(湔洗前非)
  • Cleanse the heart and wash the intestines(湔肠涤胃)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, 湔 was used in ritual contexts for spiritual purification and washing away moral stains.
  • The character appears in historical texts describing ceremonies where water was used for symbolic cleansing.
  • It carries connotations of redemption and moral renewal in classical literature.

FAQ