淋

lín
HSK 6
#2,163 most
frequent character
to drain, to drench, to drip
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

淋 lín uses 氵 water as meaning part and 林 lín as sound part. Water action gives original 'pour water on'; later it meant drench and sprinkle. Read lìn, the word was borrowed for its sound to mean 'filter, strain,' which then grew to 'gonorrhea.'

Ask DeepSeek

Example Sentences

外面下雨，我的衣服被淋湿了。
wàimiàn xiàyǔ ， wǒde yīfú bèi línshī le 。
It is raining outside, my clothes got drenched.
请把水淋到花上。
qǐng bǎ shuǐ lín dào huāshàng 。
Please pour the water onto the flowers.
他从屋里出来，头发被淋得湿漉漉的。
tā cóng wū lǐ chūlái ， tóufà bèi líndé shīlùlùde 。
He came out of the room, and his hair was dripping wet.

Same Characters, Different Readings

淋lìn
to filter, to strain, to drain

Words with similar meanings

浇jiāo
to pour
This verb emphasizes the action of pouring a liquid over something, often used in gardening.
洒sǎ
to sprinkle
This verb suggests a lighter action of scattering liquids or small particles, usually over a wide area.

Homophones

临lín
. to border, . just before, about to
邻lín
neighbor, adjacent, close to
林lín
(bound form) woods, forest

Your word lists

Sign in to add this word to your private lists.

Public Lists with 淋

HSK 6
All words for the HSK 6 test
Hygiene & Personal Care
Items and actions for washing, grooming, and self-care.
Weather & Climate
Describing temperature, precipitation, seasons, forecasts, and related terms.
Illness & Hospital
Basic medical terminology, symptoms, doctor visits, medications.