蕩 (dàng) - To cleanse, rinse & to sweep away, eliminate

蕩Tone 4

dàng ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

蕩 · dàng

To cleanse, rinse;

to sweep away, eliminate;

to sway, swing;

vast, expansive;

dissolute, loose in morals.

To cleanse, rinseto sweep away, eliminateto sway, swing

Usage highlights

To rinseTo sway gentlyVast and mightyTo roamTo sweep cleanDissolute behavior

Synonyms

  • 涤— to wash, cleanse
  • 洗— to wash, rinse
  • 摇— to shake, sway

Antonyms

  • 静— still, calm
  • 稳— stable, steady
  • 洁— pure, clean (moral sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Rinse the cup (荡杯).
  • Sweep away obstacles (荡除障碍).
  • The boat sways on the waves (船在波浪中荡漾).
  • Vast and boundless (浩荡).

Collocations

  • To rinse(荡涤)
  • To sway gently(荡漾)
  • Vast and mighty(浩荡)
  • To roam(游荡)
  • To sweep clean(扫荡)
  • Dissolute behavior(放荡)

Idioms

  • To sweep away all obstacles(荡气回肠)
  • To indulge in pleasure without restraint(荡检逾闲)
  • To be dissolute and self-indulgent(放荡不羁)
  • To have one's mind set at ease(荡然无存)
  • To be completely swept away(一扫而荡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted washing actions in ancient bronze inscriptions, later extended to mean sweeping away or cleansing.
  • In Taoist context, represents the concept of emptying the mind to achieve clarity.
  • Can carry negative connotations when describing moral looseness or dissolute behavior.

FAQ