浇

• Pinyin: jiāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 浇 = 氵(water) + 尧 (phonetic) — to pour water

Meaning

To water; to pour liquid on. To apply liquid, especially water, onto something.

Most commonly used for watering plants (浇水, 浇花). Also used in cooking for pouring sauce or gravy over food. Can be used metaphorically, as in 浇灭 (to extinguish by pouring water) for dampening enthusiasm or hopes.

Examples

1. 你出差的时候记得让邻居帮忙浇花。 When you're on a business trip, remember to ask the neighbors to help water the flowers.
2. 把肉汤浇在米饭上，味道特别香。 Pour the meat broth over the rice — it tastes especially delicious.
3. 他的一番话给我浇了一盆冷水，我的热情顿时消退了。 His words were like a bucket of cold water on me, and my enthusiasm instantly faded.

Usage Guide

Context: gardening, cooking, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这些植物需要每天浇水。(These plants need to be watered every day.)
• 把酱汁浇在菜上就可以了。(Just pour the sauce over the dish.)

Don't Say

• 用'浇'描述倒饮料 (Don't use 浇 for pouring a drink into a cup — use 倒; 浇 implies pouring onto something)

Origin & History

The character 浇 contains 氵(water radical), indicating its connection to liquid. The right component 尧 serves as a phonetic element.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal