冲

• Pinyin: chōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 冲 = 冫(ice/water) + 中 (middle, phonetic) — originally the force of rushing water

Meaning

To rush; to rinse; to flush. A versatile verb meaning to move quickly or to wash with flowing water.

Has multiple common meanings: (1) to rush or charge forward, (2) to rinse or flush with water, (3) to brew by pouring hot water (as in 冲咖啡, make coffee). The water-related meanings come from the original water radical. Context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 别着急，先把手冲干净。 Don't rush — first rinse your hands clean.
2. 他冲出了教室跑向操场。 He rushed out of the classroom and ran towards the sports field.
3. 早上起来我先冲一杯咖啡。 In the morning, I first make a cup of coffee.

Usage Guide

Context: action, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 吃完药以后多冲点水喝。(Drink more water to rinse down the medicine.)
• 他冲过终点线拿到了第一名。(He rushed across the finish line and got first place.)

Don't Say

• 我冲了一碗米饭 (Don't use 冲 for cooking rice — use 煮; 冲 is for instant drinks or rinsing, not cooking solid foods)

Origin & History

冲 = 冫(ice or water radical) + 中 (middle, phonetic). Originally related to the force of rushing water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal