How to Write 涌 (yǒng) — Meaning “to gush; to surge; to well up”

Imagine a water fountain (氵) bursting upward with a strong sound like "yong!"—like a geyser erupting. The right part 甬 looks like a container with a spout, so picture water welling up and gushing out of it.

Keep the three water dots compact and aligned vertically on the left. The right part 甬 has a top horizontal stroke, then a long vertical stroke through the middle, and two shorter horizontals below; make sure the vertical stroke is straight and the bottom of the right part lines up with the bottom of the water radical.

涌 means to surge or gush, while 沫 (mò) means foam or froth and 沭 (shù) is a river name. Visually, 涌 has 甬 (with a vertical stroke through the middle), 沫 has 末 (a horizontal stroke at top), and 沭 has 术 (with a hook-like shape); these different right parts clearly distinguish them.

涌 appears in words like 涌现 (to emerge in large numbers) and 汹涌 (surging, turbulent, often for water or emotions). It describes a forceful outpouring, such as tears welling up or ideas surging, and is common in both literal and figurative contexts, including poetry for vivid imagery.

Common words containing 涌 include: 涌现 (yǒng xiàn) — to emerge in large numbers; to spring up; 汹涌 (xiōng yǒng) — Surging / turbulent; 泉涌 (quán yǒng) — To gush like a spring; to emerge in large numbers.