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March 24, 2026
洪水hóngshuǐ(hong2shui3)
洪水 (hóng shuǐ) refers to a large and often destructive flood, typically resulting from heavy rainfall or the overflow of rivers. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing natural disasters, environmental issues, or even metaphorically to describe overwhelming situations.
Frequency#8969DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 洪水 has significant historical and cultural implications, often featured in folklore and literature, such as the legend of the Great Yu who controlled floods. Flooding has impacted many Chinese communities, shaping disaster preparedness practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '洪' (hóng) river overflowing its banks, creating a '水' (shuǐ) deluge. Picture a giant, happy Hong wearing a raincoat standing in water up to his waist, signifying a flood. The sound 'hóng' can remind you of the loud rushing water during a flood.
Meanings of 洪水
hóngshuǐ(hong2shui3)
1deluge
2flood
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About 洪水
洪水Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#8969Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 洪水
Podcast: 洪水
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AI Study Notes for 洪水
Quick Contrast
暴洪 (bàohóng) refers to a sudden and intense flood, emphasizing the rapid onset, while 洪水 (hóngshuǐ) denotes a more general concept of flooding, often with a focus on its scale and impact.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a '洪' (hóng) river overflowing its banks, creating a '水' (shuǐ) deluge. Picture a giant, happy Hong wearing a raincoat standing in water up to his waist, signifying a flood. The sound 'hóng' can remind you of the loud rushing water during a flood.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 洪水 with simply 水 (shuǐ), which means water. In writing, ensure you use the correct characters to convey the concept of a flood versus regular water. Common collocations include '洪水泛滥' (hóng shuǐ fàn làn - floods overflow) and '洪水灾害' (hóng shuǐ zāi hài - flood disaster).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 洪水 connects to other environmental vocabulary such as 干旱 (gān hàn - drought) and 气候变化 (qì hòu biàn huà - climate change). Students should focus on understanding its usage in both literal and figurative contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 洪水 has significant historical and cultural implications, often featured in folklore and literature, such as the legend of the Great Yu who controlled floods. Flooding has impacted many Chinese communities, shaping disaster preparedness practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 洪水 with 水, leading to phrases like '我喜欢洪水' (I like water), which should be '我喜欢水' (I like water). Ensure you use 洪水 only when referring to floods.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洪水
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Grammar Patterns of 洪水
洪水 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这正是洞穴探险者害怕的那种____。
This is the type of flood dreaded by cavers.
Example Sentences for 洪水 (10)
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1
这正是洞穴探险者害怕的那种洪水。
zhè zhèng shì dòng xué tàn xiǎn zhě hài pà de nà zhǒng hóng shuǐ。
This is the type of flood dreaded by cavers.
2
洪水冲垮了釜山的一座主要桥梁。
hóng shuǐ chōng kuǎ le fǔ shān de yī zuò zhǔ yào qiáo liáng。
Flood waters washed away one of the main bridges in Pusan.
3
那次洪水是人们记忆中最严重的一次。
nà cì hóng shuǐ shì rén mén jì yì zhōng zuì yán zhòng de yī cì。
The floods are the worst in living memory.
4
从山地奔流而下的水涌入河中引发了洪水。
cóng shān dì bēn liú ér xià de shuǐ yǒng rù hé zhōng yǐn fā le hóng shuǐ。
Flooding was caused by water gushing into rivers from uplands.
5
洪水以十二英尺高的水壁涌来.
hóng shuǐ yǐ shí èr yīng chǐ gāo de shuǐ bì yǒng lái.
The flood came in a wall of water twelve feet high.
The flooding led to six-mile tailbacks between west London and Heathrow Airport.
7
对洪水的预测并不是一门精确科学。
duì hóng shuǐ de yù cè bìng bù shì yī mén jīng què kē xué。
Forecasting floods is not an exact science.
8
雪融化的时候，洪水会上涨。
xuě róng huà de shí hòu， ， hóng shuǐ huì shàng。
As the snows melt, the flood waters rise.
9
洪水直涌入我的园子.
hóng shuǐ zhí yǒng rù wǒ de yuán zǐ.
The flood came through to my garden.
10
从1915年春开始, 他们的文章和书籍象洪水一般泛滥.
cóng1915 1915 nián chūn kāi, shǐ , tā mén de wén zhāng hé shū jí xiàng hóng shuǐ yī bān.
Beginning in the spring of 1915, they poured out articles and books in a virtual flood.
Cultural Notes for 洪水
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 洪水 has significant historical and cultural implications, often featured in folklore and literature, such as the legend of the Great Yu who controlled floods. Flooding has impacted many Chinese communities, shaping disaster preparedness practices.
Frequently Asked Questions about 洪水
洪水 specifically refers to the flood itself, while 水灾 (shuǐ zāi) refers to the disaster or damage caused by flooding.
Yes, 洪水 can be used metaphorically to describe overwhelming situations, such as a flood of emotions or information.
Yes, phrases like '防洪' (fáng hóng - flood prevention) and '洪水警报' (hóng shuǐ jǐng bào - flood warning) are useful.
