泄

A phono-semantic compound:

水 (water) — semantic component

世 (generation; world) — phonetic component

The original image is water escaping and spreading outward, emphasizing the idea of something that should be contained flowing out.

From the literal sense “water leaks out”, the meaning expanded metaphorically to:

- leaking information or secrets

- venting emotions

- releasing pressure or waste

Thus, 泄 consistently carries the nuance of loss of containment.

누설 (漏泄 / 泄漏) — leakage; disclosure

비밀을 누설하다 (泄露秘密) — to leak a secret

분노를 풀다 (泄憤) — to vent anger

설사 (泄瀉) — diarrhea (medical term)

정보 유출 (信息泄露) — information leakage

Related characters:

洩 — to leak (traditional variant)

漏 — to leak (physical leakage)

排 — to discharge (intentional release)

發 — to emit (outward action)

脫 — to shed (removal / release)

泄 often carries a negative nuance (loss, exposure, weakness), especially in:

- secrets

- bodily functions

- uncontrolled emotion

In classical philosophy and medicine, 泄 is neutral or even necessary (e.g. releasing excess).

The character contrasts with 藏 (“to store, conceal”), forming a semantic opposition.

泄 — standard form in Simplified Chinese

洩 — traditional form (still common in Taiwan and older texts)

In modern Mainland Chinese, 泄 functions as the simplified form of 洩, though historically they coexisted as graphic variants.

Japanese:

泄 — standard form (Jōyō kanji)

洩 — seen in older or variant texts