活水 (huó shuǐ) — flowing water, running water (as opposed to stagnant water); (figurative) a dynamic, self-renewing source

Definition

Literally 'living water' — moving, self-renewing water, contrasted with stagnant 死水. Often used figuratively for ideas, talent, or organizations that stay fresh through constant renewal.

noun
flowing waterrunning water (as opposed to stagnant water)(figurative) a dynamicself-renewing source

Examples

  • 活水，。
    Zhè tiáo hé shì huó shuǐ, suǒ yǐ shuǐ hěn gān jìng.
    This river is flowing water, so the water is very clean.
  • 活水，。
    Zhī shi jiù xiàng huó shuǐ, xū yào bú duàn gēng xīn.
    Knowledge is like flowing water — it needs constant renewal.
  • 活水，。
    Zhǐ yǒu yǐn rù huó shuǐ, chí táng cái bú huì fā chòu.
    Only by introducing flowing water will the pond not stink.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

活huóflowing
水shuǐwater

“活” means flowing or lively, and “水” is water, so it contrasts with stagnant water.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠯑
𠯑𠯑活huó
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

活 is built from 氵 (water) and 𠯑, which shows the sound; 𠯑 later changed into 舌.

Open 活 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

水 is a simple drawing of water flowing.

Open 水 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.