泄漏

• Pinyin: xiè lòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 泄 = 氵+ 世 (water leaking out); 漏 = 氵+ 屚 (water dripping through a crack)

Meaning

To leak; to seep out. Used for the physical leakage of liquids, gases, or other substances from a container or system.

Primarily used for physical substances: water, gas, oil, chemicals. Distinct from 泄露, which applies to information. A technical and regulatory term found in engineering, environmental, and safety contexts.

Examples

1. 工厂管道发生了严重的化学品泄漏事故，附近居民已紧急疏散。 A serious chemical leak occurred in the factory’s pipelines, and nearby residents have been urgently evacuated.
2. 检测仪器显示，地下燃气管道存在轻微泄漏。 The detection equipment shows a slight leak in the underground gas pipeline.
3. 核电站需要定期检查，以防止任何放射性物质的泄漏。 Nuclear power plants need regular inspections to prevent any leakage of radioactive materials.

Usage Guide

Context: engineering, environment, safety, industrial

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 气象部门检测到该工业区存在有毒气体泄漏，已启动橙色预警机制。(The meteorological department detected toxic gas leakage in the industrial zone and activated the orange alert mechanism.)
• 管线的老化是造成此次原油泄漏的主要原因。(The ageing of the pipeline was the primary cause of this crude oil leakage.)

Don't Say

• 公司泄漏了用户数据 — use 泄露 for leaking information; 泄漏 is for physical substances

Origin & History

泄 (to discharge/leak) + 漏 (to drip/leak through a crack) — both characters relate to leaking, reinforcing the meaning of physical outflow

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal