潑 (pō) - To splash, spill, sprinkle & lively, vigorous, unrestrained

潑Tone 1

pō ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

潑 · pō

To splash, spill, sprinkle;

lively, vigorous, unrestrained;

to pour out.

To splash, spill, sprinklelively, vigorous, unrestrainedto pour out.

Usage highlights

Splash waterLively and cheerfulPour cold waterRough and unreasonableSplashWild and intractable

Synonyms

  • 洒— to sprinkle, spray
  • 浇— to pour, irrigate
  • 活泼— lively, vivacious

Antonyms

  • 收— to collect, restrain
  • 拘谨— reserved, restrained
  • 沉闷— dull, depressed

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The child splashed water while playing (泼水).
  • She has a lively and outgoing personality (性格活泼).
  • Pour the boiling water into the cup (泼开水).
  • He threw cold water on my idea (泼冷水).

Collocations

  • Splash water(泼水)
  • Lively and cheerful(活泼)
  • Pour cold water(泼冷水)
  • Rough and unreasonable(撒泼)
  • Splash-ink painting(泼墨)
  • Wild and intractable(泼辣)

Idioms

  • Like adding fuel to the fire(火上浇油)
  • Wild and intractable(泼妇骂街)
  • Bold and vigorous brushwork in painting(泼墨山水)
  • Rough and unreasonable behavior(撒泼打滚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 泼水节 (Water-Splashing Festival) is an important Dai ethnic minority festival in Yunnan, symbolizing blessing and cleansing.
  • In traditional Chinese painting, 泼墨 (splash-ink) technique creates bold, expressive landscapes.
  • 泼冷水 (pour cold water) metaphorically describes discouraging someone's enthusiasm.

FAQ