湿

• Pinyin: shī
• Hanzi breakdown: 湿 = 氵(water) + 显 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Wet; damp; moist.

Describes a state where something contains or is covered with water or moisture. Used for weather, clothing, surfaces, and other objects. The opposite is 干 (dry).

Examples

1. 外面下雨了，地上都湿了。 It's raining outside and the ground is all wet.
2. 这条毛巾还是湿的，不能用。 This towel is still wet and can't be used.
3. 他的衣服被汗水弄湿了。 His clothes got soaked with sweat.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 今天空气很湿，感觉很不舒服。(The air is very humid today; it feels uncomfortable.)
• 你的头发还是湿的，先吹干再出门。(Your hair is still wet; blow-dry it before going out.)

Don't Say

• 这个人很湿。(Don't use 湿 to describe a person's personality — it only describes physical wetness or humidity.)

Origin & History

Originally written 溼, from 氵(water radical) indicating moisture. The simplified form 湿 retains the water radical.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal