Definition
滴 (dī) means 'to drip' — liquid falling in separate drops. 掉 (diào) is broader: something falls or drops (not just liquid), and it's also a resultative complement (e.g., 扔掉 'throw away'). 淌 (tǎng) describes liquid flowing or trickling (e.g., tears, sweat), not necessarily in drops.
verb
to drip
classifier
a drop (of liquid)
Easily confused
- 摘zhāilook-aliketo pick (flowers, fruit, etc.)
- 地dìsound-alike(particle) structural particle for forming adverbials; -ly
- 地dìsound-alike(noun) ground, land, floor (as a surface)
- 第dìsound-alike(prefix) used before a number to form ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)
- 底dǐsound-alikebottom, base, sole (of a container, shoe, or structure)
- 低dīsound-alike(adjective) low (in height, level, price, temperature, etc.)
- 递dìsound-aliketo hand over, to pass (something to someone), to deliver
- 抵dǐsound-aliketo press against, prop up, support
- 堤dīsound-alikedike, embankment, levee
Examples
- 滴。Cài lǐ jiā le jǐ dī yóu.I added a few drops of oil to the dish.
- 。Shuǐlóngtóu zài dī shuǐ.The faucet is dripping water.
- 滴。Tā de hàn dī dào le dì shàng.His sweat dripped onto the ground.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.