洗

• Pinyin: xǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 洗 = 氵(water) + 先 (phonetic component)

Meaning

To wash; to clean. A basic everyday verb for washing hands, clothes, dishes, and more.

Used for all kinds of washing and cleaning activities. Often paired with specific objects to form common phrases like 洗手 (wash hands), 洗衣服 (wash clothes), 洗澡 (take a bath/shower). One of the most frequently used verbs in daily life.

Examples

1. 吃饭以前要洗手。 You should wash your hands before eating.
2. 妈妈在洗衣服。 Mom is washing clothes.
3. 我每天晚上都洗澡。 I take a shower every night.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, home

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你洗手了吗？(Have you washed your hands?)
• 我要去洗衣服。(I'm going to wash clothes.)

Don't Say

• 我洗了脸水。(Wrong word order — say 我用水洗了脸 or simply 我洗了脸)

Origin & History

The character 洗 combines 氵(water radical) with 先 (phonetic component), reflecting the use of water in the act of washing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal