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染 (rǎn) — to dye (hair, fabric, etc.); to catch (a disease) or contract; to acquire (bad habits) or be contaminated by

Definition

The everyday verb for 'to dye' (hair, fabric) and figuratively 'to catch' a disease or pick up a bad habit. 污染 is the broader 'to pollute/contaminate' (esp. environment); 染 focuses on the person catching or acquiring something.

verb
to dye (hair, fabric, etc.)to catch (a disease) or contractto acquire (bad habits) or be contaminated by

Examples

  • 染。
    Tā bǎ tóu fa rǎn chéng le hóng sè.
    She dyed her hair red.
  • 。
    Tā bù xiǎo xīn rǎn shàng le liú gǎn.
    He accidentally caught the flu.
  • 。
    Hái zi róng yì rǎn shàng huài xí guàn.
    Children easily pick up bad habits.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

染 combines 氵 (water), 九 (hook), and 木 (tree): something hung on a hook from a tree into water to dye it.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Hygiene & Grooming5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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