汗水

hànshuǐ

sweat

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"汗水" literally means "sweat water" and refers to the physical sweat produced by the body, especially during hard work or exercise. It is often used metaphorically to represent hard work, effort, and perseverance.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "汗水" in contexts describing physical exertion, such as sports or labor, as well as in figurative expressions praising someone's dedication and hard work.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "汗水" (liú hànshuǐ): to sweat; emphasizes the act of sweating during effort.
  • "汗水" (yòng hànshuǐ huàn lái): to earn something through hard work.
  • "汗水湿" (hànshuǐ shī tòu): soaked with sweat; describes heavy sweating.

Nuances

Using "汗水" instead of just "" adds a poetic or formal tone, often highlighting the value of the effort behind the sweat. It is common in speeches, writing, and motivational contexts.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "汗水" with "" alone, which means water in general. "汗水" specifically refers to sweat and the effort associated with it.

Example Sentences

他用汗水浇灌了自己的梦想,终于成功了。

Tā yòng hànshuǐ jiāoguànle zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng, zhōngyú chénggōngle.

He watered his dreams with sweat and finally succeeded.

运动后,汗水湿透了他的衣服。

Yùndòng hòu, hànshuǐ shī tòule tā de yīfu.

After exercising, sweat soaked through his clothes.

成功的背后,是无数的汗水和努力。

Chénggōng de bèihòu, shì wúshù de hànshuǐ hé nǔlì.

Behind success lies countless sweat and effort.