沾染

沾

zha̅n

染

rǎn

to pollute (often fig.) / to be infected by / to gain a small advantage

Characters and words in 沾染

沾

zha̅n = zh + an1

to moisten / to be infected by / to receive benefit or advantage through a contact / to touch

沾 = 占 + 氵 : Someone is pouring out a bottle of water (氵) on the higher floors of the anthill, but James II of England (zh), standing on the street (an1), quickly puts up his yellow umbrella (占) so that only his umbrella is moistened (沾).

沾

霑

zha̅n = zh + an1

variant of 沾[zhan1] / to moisten

染

rǎn = r + an3

to dye / to catch (a disease) / to acquire (bad habits etc) / to contaminate / to add color washes to a painting

染 = 木 + 氿 : Robinson Crusoe (r) finds that there is a small mountain spring (氿) in the anthill (an3). Unfortunately it is contaminated (染) by a plastic Christmas tree (木) standing next to it. The BPA and dye from the Christmas tree leak into the water and change the creek's color (染).