dregs

is composed of the radical (water) and (check). is a pictograph of a river, while the original meaning of is a wooden fence or floating barrier. Thus, conveys the concept of setting up a barrier on a river to filter out unwanted debris, which extended to mean dregs, sediment, or residue.

Vocabulary of 渣

  • 人渣 (dregs of society)
  • 豆渣 (soya bean dregs)
  • 蔗渣 (bagasse)

Related Characters: