阴沟

陰溝

yīngōu

noun #18,170

Measure Word

一条阴沟 tiáo

Meanings

1 sewer
2 underground drainage channel
3 gutter

Characters

hidden; underground; dark

ditch; gutter; channel

Examples

HSK 4

阴沟里翻船。

Yīngōu lǐ fānchuán.

Capsizing in a gutter. (Failing where you least expect it.)

HSK 5

阴沟里的水又臭又脏。

Yīngōu lǐ de shuǐ yòu chòu yòu zāng.

The water in the sewer is both smelly and dirty.

Tips

culture

阴沟里翻船 is a well-known saying meaning 'to fail at something easy' or 'to stumble where you least expect it' - like a boat capsizing in a tiny gutter.

Stroke Order

阴 yīn

沟 gōu