Basic Meaning

The Chinese character “雨” (yǔ) originally refers to falling water droplets, i.e., rain. In Chinese, “雨” is also a common radical, usually used in characters related to precipitation and weather. Its pictograph represents raindrops falling from the sky: the upper part symbolizes clouds, and the lower part represents raindrops.

Characters Formed with “雨”

“雨” can combine with other components to form new characters with different meanings:

  • 雪 (xuě): Rain + 彐, meaning snow that falls in winter.
  • 雷 (léi): Rain + 田, symbolizing thunder that accompanies rain.
  • 霜 (shuāng): Rain + 相, representing frost that forms in cold weather.

These combinations show how Chinese characters use “雨” as the core element to depict precipitation and weather phenomena.

Extended Meanings

The character “雨” has rich extended meanings in Chinese:

  1. Weather phenomena: Refers to natural precipitation, e.g., 下雨 (xià yǔ – to rain), 暴雨 (bào yǔ – heavy rain), 细雨 (xì yǔ – drizzle).
  2. Metaphorical usage: Describes things coming in large numbers or continuously, e.g., 雨后春笋 (yǔ hòu chūn sǔn – like bamboo shoots after rain), 风雨交加 (fēng yǔ jiāo jiā – stormy and difficult situation).
  3. Verb usage: Indicates falling or bestowing, e.g., 恩雨 (ēn yǔ – beneficent rain), 雨露均沾 (yǔ lù jūn zhān – evenly distribute favors).
  4. Cultural symbolism: Symbolizes nourishment, blessing, change, and hope.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

“雨” carries deep cultural symbolism in China:

  1. Nature and life: Represents water and the growth of all living things; in an agrarian society, it symbolizes vitality.
  2. Emotion and philosophy: Often used to express sorrow, longing, hope, or life’s hardships, e.g., 风雨同舟 (fēng yǔ tóng zhōu – standing together through hardships).
  3. Literature and art: Frequently appears in poetry and painting, associated with mountains, rivers, seasons, and emotions, reflecting humanity’s relationship with nature.

Usage in Context

  • As a noun: 雨水 (yǔ shuǐ – rainwater), 暴雨 (bào yǔ – heavy rain), 细雨 (xì yǔ – drizzle).
  • As a verb: 下雨 (xià yǔ – to rain), 降雨 (jiàng yǔ – precipitation), 雨露 (yǔ lù – dew/rainfall).
  • In literature and culture: Often used in idioms and poems to convey themes of nature, life, and emotion.

Summary

The character “雨” (yǔ) has diverse meanings, from its original sense of precipitation to its extended metaphorical and cultural uses. Its usage in different contexts not only depicts weather and natural phenomena but also reflects Chinese cultural respect for life, change, and the wisdom of nature.