潮 cháo tide
tide; current; damp; humid; fashionable; trendy
How to remember 潮: 氵 water + 朝 to face = tide. With salty water up to his knees, the old fisherman turns to face the sea and waits for the tide.
Component breakdown
潮 = 氵 water + 朝 to face
- 氵 water
- 朝 to face
With salty water up to his knees, the old fisherman turns to face the sea and waits for the tide.
How it is used
- Two senses: tide/trend, and damp - 潮流 (cháoliú) tide/trend, 潮湿 (cháoshī) damp/humid.
- Figurative 'wave/surge': 高潮 (gāocháo) climax/high tide, 热潮 (rècháo) a craze/upsurge.
- Fashion slang: 潮 = trendy/cool, 潮流/新潮 (xīncháo) fashionable, 潮牌 a trendy brand.
- 潮湿 (damp) is a distinct meaning - 屋子很潮 the room is damp.