泄

• Pinyin: xiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 泄 = 氵(water radical) + 世 (generation — water flowing through time, i.e. leaking out)

Meaning

To leak; to vent; to let out or discharge (liquid, gas, information, or emotion). To release something that was contained.

A single-character verb used as a root in many compound words (泄漏, 泄露, 泄密, 泄气). On its own, it often describes the discharge of liquid or gas. In literary contexts, it can describe venting emotions.

Examples

1. 管道破裂导致大量污水向外泄，严重污染了周边土壤。 A ruptured pipe caused a large amount of sewage to spill out, seriously contaminating the surrounding soil.
2. 气球上有一个小孔，气体正在缓慢地向外泄。 There’s a small hole in the balloon, and gas is slowly leaking out.
3. 他积压已久的情绪终于通过这场哭泣得到了一定的宣泄。 The emotions he had bottled up for so long were finally released through this bout of crying.

Usage Guide

Context: engineering, environment, literature

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 储罐底部出现裂缝，导致化学品持续向外泄，当局已封锁现场。(A crack appeared at the base of the tank, causing chemicals to continuously leak outward; authorities have cordoned off the area.)
• 经年累积的压抑情绪如洪水般向外泄，令他难以自控。(Years of pent-up suppressed emotion burst outward like floodwater, making it difficult for him to control himself.)

Don't Say

• 泄 alone for 'to tell a secret' — use 泄露 or 泄密 for leaking information

Origin & History

泄 (水 water radical + 世 — water flowing out); original meaning: to drain or discharge water

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal