How to Write 洌 (liè) — Meaning “Clear and cold (of water or wine).”

Picture a row (列) of ice cubes floating in water (氵) — the ice makes the water crystal clear and very cold. This image directly links the components to the meaning 'clear and cold water.'

Write the three-dot water radical first, keeping it narrow and evenly spaced. Then write the right part 列, making sure the bottom stroke of 列 (a vertical hook) does not cross into the left side. A common mistake is making the right side too wide, so balance both halves.

洌 has the 列 component, which gives the meaning of clear and cold water. 㳄 (xuán) uses 欠 (mouth and breath) and means saliva, while 汧 (qiān) uses 开 (open) and means clear water but not necessarily cold. Visually, 洌's right side is 列, not 欠 or 开.

洌 appears in literary or descriptive writing, often in phrases like 清洌 (crystal clear) for water or 凛洌 (piercingly cold) for wind or air. It is rarely used in everyday conversation but adds a poetic touch when describing the clarity and coldness of a drink or natural water.

Common words containing 洌 include: 清洌 (qīng liè) — crystal clear (water); 洌口 (liè kǒu) — Refreshing to the mouth (describing drinks).; 凛洌 (lǐn liè) — piercingly cold (variant).