Chinese Character: 溉
1. Character Basics
Radical: 氵 (Shui, Water radical)
Stroke Count: 12
Stroke Order:
Structure: This character is a phono-semantic compound, combining 氵 (water) as the semantic component and 既 (jì) as the phonetic component.
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gài (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
The core meaning of "溉" is "to irrigate" or "to water". It specifically refers to the act of applying water to land or crops to help them grow.
4. Common Words
- 灌溉 (guàn gài): Irrigation
Example: 这个地区有完善的灌溉系统。(This area has a complete irrigation system.)
- 溉田 (gài tián): Irrigate fields
Example: 农民们正在溉田。(Farmers are irrigating the fields.)
- 溉水 (gài shuǐ): Apply water
Example: 请帮我溉水这些花。(Please help me water these flowers.)
- 溉灌 (gài guàn): Irrigate (synonym of 灌溉)
Example: 我们需要溉灌这片干旱的土地。(We need to irrigate this arid land.)
- 洗溉 (xǐ gài): Wash and irrigate (medical term)
Example: 医生用生理盐水洗溉伤口。(Doctors use saline to wash and irrigate the wound.)
5. Grammar & Usage
Usage as a verb:
- 溉 + Object: Directly followed by the object being irrigated
Example: 溉田 (irrigate fields)
- 溉 + with + Instrument: Indicating the tool used for irrigation
Example: 用水溉 (irrigate with water)
- 被/由 + Subject + 溉: Passive voice
Example: 这片土地被农民们溉过了。(This land has been irrigated by farmers.)
- 溉 + Complement: Describing the result or manner of irrigation
Example: 溉得很均匀 (irrigated evenly)
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, "溉" is closely related to agriculture, which has been the foundation of Chinese civilization for thousands of years. The character reflects the importance of water management and irrigation systems in Chinese agricultural practices.
Ancient Chinese civilizations developed sophisticated irrigation techniques, such as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which was built over 2,000 years ago and is still in use today. These systems demonstrate the Chinese people's deep understanding of water conservation and efficient use of natural resources.
The character "溉" also carries a metaphorical meaning in Chinese culture, symbolizing nourishment and care for growth, not just of plants but also of people and ideas.
7. Example Sentence
English: Farmers use this river to irrigate their crops.
Chinese: 农民们用这条河来灌溉他们的庄稼。
Pinyin: Nóngmínmen yòng zhè tiáo hé lái guàngài tāmen de zhuāngjia.
English: The government is investing in modern irrigation technology.
Chinese: 政府正在投资现代灌溉技术。
Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài tóuzī xiàndài guàngài jìshù.
English: Proper irrigation is essential for crop growth in dry areas.
Chinese: 在干旱地区，适当的灌溉对作物生长至关重要。
Pinyin: Zài gānhàn dìqū, shìdàng de guàngài duì zuòwù shēngzhǎng zhìguān zhòngyào.
8. Memory Tips
- Decompose the character: 溉 = 氵 (water) + 既 (jì). Remember that it's related to water (氵) and has a pronunciation similar to "jì" (既).
- Create a mnemonic: Imagine someone using water (氵) to irrigate fields, and they say "已经完成了" (yǐjīng wánchéngle, "already finished") - the "既" in "已经" helps you remember the right side of the character.
- Associate with related words: Connect "溉" with words like "灌溉" (guàn gài, irrigation) to reinforce its meaning.
- Visual imagery: Picture a farmer watering crops in a field, and remember that "溉" represents this action of applying water.