泄 (xiè) — to leak out, to discharge (liquid, gas, electricity); to divulge (a secret), to vent (emotions)
Definition
泄 (xiè) is a bound verb — almost always combined with 露, 漏, 密, or 洪. Use 漏 for physical leaks, 透露 or 泄露 for secrets.
verb
to leak outto discharge (liquid, gas, electricity)to divulge (a secret)to vent (emotions)
Examples
- ，泄。Guǎn zi huài le, shuǐ zhèng zài xiè chū lái.The pipe is broken, and water is leaking out.
- 。Tā bù néng xiè lòu gōng sī de mì mì.He cannot leak the company's secrets.
- 泄。Nǐ rú guǒ yǒu yā lì jiù xiè chū lái ba.If you have pressure, just let it out.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 洩; 泄 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
曳
曳yè洩xiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
In the traditional form 洩, 氵 marks the water-related meaning, while 曳 gives the sound; the simplified 泄 is a later abbreviation.
Appears in
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