Meaning
淡 describes things that lack intensity or strength. It commonly refers to colors that are pale or light, flavors that are mild or bland, liquids that are diluted or weak, and attitudes that are indifferent or detached. The character originally depicted water (氵) and flame (炎), suggesting something diluted or weakened.
Usage
淡 is frequently used to describe tea, coffee, or soup that isn't strong enough (茶太淡了). It describes pastel or light colors in fashion and design (淡蓝色). When describing personality or relationships, 淡 suggests emotional distance or indifference. Often combined with other characters to form compounds like 淡季 (off-season) or 清淡 (light and simple).
Examples
- 01这杯茶太淡了，再加点茶叶吧。, .This cup of tea is too weak, let's add more tea leaves.
- 02她穿了一件淡蓝色的连衣裙。.She wore a light blue dress.
Common collocations
- 淡季off-season, slack season
- 淡水fresh water
- 淡忘to forget gradually
- 看淡to take lightly, to be indifferent to
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines the water radical 氵(water) with 炎 (flame), suggesting water that has extinguished or weakened a flame, metaphorically representing dilution or reduction in intensity.