Meaning
淋 means to be drenched or soaked, typically by water or rain. It describes the action of liquid pouring down or over something, or the state of being wet from such pouring. The character contains the water radical (氵), indicating its connection to water and moisture.
Usage
Most commonly used in the phrase 淋雨 (lín yǔ, to get caught in the rain) or 淋湿 (lín shī, to get drenched/soaked). It can describe both intentional pouring (like pouring sauce over food) and unintentional getting wet. Often appears in weather-related contexts.
Examples
- 01出门别忘了带伞,小心淋雨。, .Don't forget to bring an umbrella when you go out, be careful not to get caught in the rain.
- 02他被大雨淋湿了,衣服全都湿透了。, .He got drenched by the heavy rain, and his clothes were completely soaked through.
Common collocations
- 淋雨to get caught in the rain
- 淋湿to get soaked/drenched
- 淋浴to take a shower
- 淋漓尽致vividly and thoroughly (idiom)
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines the water radical 氵(shuǐ) on the left with 林 (lín, forest) on the right. The phonetic component 林 provides the pronunciation, while 氵suggests the meaning relates to water flowing or dripping, like rain through trees.