澄 chéng clear
clear; limpid; pure
How to remember 澄: 氵 water + 登 to rise = clear. The water of the mountain lake is still dark, but as the sun starts to rise it turns clear enough to count every pebble.
Component breakdown
澄 = 氵 water + 登 to rise
- 氵 water
- 登 to rise
- 癶 legs
- 豆 bean
The water of the mountain lake is still dark, but as the sun starts to rise it turns clear enough to count every pebble.
How it is used
- Clear/limpid - chiefly in 澄清 (chéngqīng): to clarify/set the record straight - 澄清误会 (chéngqīng wùhuì) to clear up a misunderstanding.
- Literally, clear settled water; the figurative 'clarify' sense is the common one. Also reads dèng (澄浆 to let settle).