滴 (dī) - To drip & a drop

滴Tone 1

dī ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

滴 · dī

To drip;

a drop;

to trickle;

a small amount of liquid;

used as a measure word for drops.

To dripa dropto trickle

Usage highlights

Water dropletA drop of waterDripping soundIntravenous dripDrip irrigationHourglass

Synonyms

  • 点— dot; spot; drop
  • 珠— pearl; bead; drop

Antonyms

  • 涌— to gush; to surge
  • 流— to flow; stream

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Water drips from the faucet (水滴).
  • Add a drop of oil (一滴油).
  • Time passes minute by minute (时间滴答流逝).
  • The intravenous drip is almost finished (点滴).

Collocations

  • Water droplet(水滴)
  • A drop of water(一滴水)
  • Dripping sound(滴答声)
  • Intravenous drip(点滴)
  • Drip irrigation(滴灌)
  • Hourglass(沙漏滴)

Idioms

  • Every drop counts(滴水成河)
  • Dripping water penetrates stone(滴水穿石)
  • A drop in the bucket(沧海一粟)
  • Precise to the minute(分秒不差)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents persistence and accumulation in idioms like 'dripping water penetrates stone'.
  • Used metaphorically for precision and careful measurement in timekeeping.
  • Associated with medical treatment through the concept of intravenous drips.

FAQ