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渗透 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
渗透shèntòuto permeateHSK 7, v, rank #9891, Hard
渗透shèntòuto infiltrateHSK 7, v, rank #9891, Hard
渗透shèntòuto pervadeHSK 7, v, rank #9891, Hard
渗透shèntòuosmosisHSK 7, v, rank #9891, Hard
shèntòu(shen4tou4) T4
  1. 1to permeate
  2. 2to infiltrate
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March 24, 2026
渗透(滲透)shèntòu(shen4tou4)

渗透 (shèn tóu) refers to the process of permeating or infiltrating through a substance or situation. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as discussing how a liquid permeates a material or how ideas infiltrate a culture or society.

Frequency#9891DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 渗透 is significant in discussions about cultural exchange in China, especially regarding how foreign influences permeate local customs and practices. This is particularly relevant in the context of globalization.

Memory Tip

To remember 渗透, visualize a sponge (渗) soaking up water (透). The sponge represents how something can absorb or permeate, hinting at the character's meaning. The 'sh' sound in shen can remind you of 'soak', connecting it to the idea of permeation.

Meanings of 渗透

shèntòu(shen4tou4)
1to permeate
2to infiltrate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 渗透

渗透Simplified
滲透Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9891Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 渗透

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Podcast: 渗透

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AI Study Notes for 渗透

Quick Contrast

渗透 (shèntòu) vs 侵入 (qīnrù) — use 渗透 for gradual or subtle infiltration, while 侵入 implies a more forceful or aggressive intrusion.

Memory Mnemonic

To remember 渗透, visualize a sponge (渗) soaking up water (透). The sponge represents how something can absorb or permeate, hinting at the character's meaning. The 'sh' sound in shen can remind you of 'soak', connecting it to the idea of permeation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 渗透 with 进入 (jìnrù), which means 'to enter' but lacks the nuance of permeation. This term is used more in formal contexts, especially in scientific discussions or sociopolitical analyses. Watch for the correct pronunciation of the tones when speaking.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 渗透 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to processes and dynamics, such as 影响 (yǐngxiǎng - influence) and 传播 (chuánbō - spread). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Cultural Note

The concept of 渗透 is significant in discussions about cultural exchange in China, especially regarding how foreign influences permeate local customs and practices. This is particularly relevant in the context of globalization.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 渗透 to mean 'enter' in a physical sense when they should use 进入 (jìnrù). For example, saying '水渗透到房间' (Water infiltrates into the room) should be corrected to '水进入房间' (Water enters the room).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 渗透

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Component Characters

渗shènto seep
HSK 711 strokes氵
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透tòuto penetrate
HSK 610 strokes辶
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Write 渗透

渗
透

Practice writing 渗透 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 渗透

渗透 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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 5

Complete the Sentence

最终，水会____进周围的混凝土中。

Eventually, the water will permeate through the surrounding concrete.

Example Sentences for 渗透 (8)

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1
最终，水会渗透进周围的混凝土中。

zuì zhōng， ， shuǐ huì shèn tòu jìn zhōu wéi de hùn níng tǔ。

Eventually, the water will permeate through the surrounding concrete.
2
血流得太多，渗透了我的平脚短裤。

xiě liú dé tài duō， ， shèn tòu le wǒ de píng jiǎo duǎn。

There was so much blood it had soaked through my boxer shorts.
3
工程师说钚可能会开始从遭腐蚀的潜艇往外渗透。

gōng chéng shī shuō bù kě néng huì kāi shǐ cóng zāo fǔ shí de qián tǐng wǎng wài shèn tòu。

Engineers said that plutonium could begin seeping from the corroded sub.
4
刻痕具有渗透度一致的好处.

kè hén jù yǒu shèn tòu dù yī zhì de hǎo chǔ.

Incising can achieve the same penetration advantages.
5
水渗透入井里.

shuǐ shèn tòu rù jǐng lǐ.

Water filters into the well.
6
水渗透砂土而流入井里.

shuǐ shèn tòu shā tǔ ér liú rù jǐng lǐ.

The water filtered through the sandy soil and into the well.
7
文中主要探讨了镁锆质浇注料抗渣渗透性机理.

wén zhōng zhǔ yào tàn tǎo le měi gào zhì jiāo zhù liào kàng zhā shèn tòu xìng jī lǐ.

The mechanism of slag penetration resistance was emphatically studied in this work.
8
他磕破了腿,血渗透了裤子.

tā kē pò le tuǐ, , xiě shèn tòu le kù.

He had his leg broken and the blood strained through his trousers.

Cultural Notes for 渗透

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 渗透 is significant in discussions about cultural exchange in China, especially regarding how foreign influences permeate local customs and practices. This is particularly relevant in the context of globalization.

Frequently Asked Questions about 渗透

Yes, but it's more common in formal or academic discussions, particularly in science or sociology.