潮湿

• Pinyin: cháo shī
• Hanzi breakdown: 潮 = 氵(water) + 朝 (phonetic), meaning damp; 湿 = 氵(water) + 显 (phonetic, simplified), meaning wet

Meaning

Damp; humid; moist. Describes an environment or surface that has excessive moisture.

Used to describe weather, climates, rooms, or surfaces that are uncomfortably wet. Common in discussions about weather in southern China, where humidity is high. Often carries a slightly negative connotation as excessive dampness is generally unpleasant.

Examples

1. 南方的春天总是特别潮湿。 Spring in the south is always especially humid.
2. 地下室太潮湿了，不适合住人。 The basement is too damp and not suitable for living in.
3. 潮湿的天气让人觉得很不舒服。 Humid weather makes people feel very uncomfortable.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, environment, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 下雨以后空气变得很潮湿。(The air becomes very humid after rain.)
• 衣服放在潮湿的地方容易发霉。(Clothes stored in damp places tend to get mouldy.)

Don't Say

• 这杯水很潮湿 (Don't describe liquids as 潮湿 — use it for air, surfaces, or environments; water itself is wet, not damp)

Origin & History

潮 means damp or tide; 湿 means wet or moist. Both contain the water radical, emphasizing the presence of moisture.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal