溢 (yì) - To overflow & to spill over

溢Tone 4

yì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

溢 · yì

To overflow;

to spill over;

to brim;

excessive;

surplus;

also used metaphorically for overflowing emotions or qualities.

To overflowto spill overto brim

Usage highlights

OverflowBrimming with tearsOverflowing with talentExcessive praiseEmotional overflowOverflow dam

Synonyms

  • 满— full (state of being filled)
  • 涌— gush, surge (movement of liquid)
  • 盈— be full of, have a surplus of

Antonyms

  • 亏— deficit, deficiency
  • 缺— lack, be short of
  • 竭— exhaust, use up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river overflowed its banks (河水溢出了堤岸).
  • Her eyes brimmed with tears (她眼中溢满了泪水).
  • The cup is full to overflowing (杯子满得溢出来了).
  • He is overflowing with talent (他才华横溢).

Collocations

  • Overflow(溢出)
  • Brimming with tears(溢满泪水)
  • Overflowing with talent(才华横溢)
  • Excessive praise(溢美之词)
  • Emotional overflow(感情洋溢)
  • Overflow dam(溢洪道)

Idioms

  • Overflowing with talent and learning(才学横溢)
  • Extravagant praise(溢美之言)
  • Overflowing with enthusiasm(热情洋溢)
  • Full of literary talent(文采横溢)
  • Overflowing with joy(喜溢眉梢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese philosophy, excess or overflow (溢) is often seen as going beyond the proper measure, contrary to the Confucian ideal of the mean.
  • The character is frequently used in positive contexts to describe abundant talent or emotion, as in 才华横溢.
  • In hydrology and engineering, 溢 refers to the controlled or uncontrolled spillage of water, reflecting practical applications.

FAQ