清洗

• Pinyin: qīng xǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 清 = 氵(water) + 青 (blue-green) — clear; 洗 = 氵(water) + 先 (first) — to wash

Meaning

To wash; to clean; to purge. Thorough cleaning with water, or figuratively eliminating unwanted elements.

Used literally for washing items thoroughly (清洗蔬菜 — wash vegetables, 清洗伤口 — clean a wound) and figuratively for purging or eliminating (清洗队伍 — purge the ranks). Implies more thorough cleaning than simple 洗.

Examples

1. 蔬菜在烹饪前要彻底清洗干净。 Vegetables should be thoroughly washed before cooking.
2. 他用消毒液清洗了伤口，防止感染。 He cleaned the wound with disinfectant to prevent infection.
3. 这件衣服的材质很特殊，需要专业清洗。 This garment is made of special material and requires professional cleaning.

Usage Guide

Context: cleaning, hygiene, medical

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 请把这些餐具清洗一下。(Please wash these dishes.)
• 伤口需要清洗消毒。(The wound needs to be cleaned and disinfected.)

Don't Say

• 简单的洗手不用说'清洗' (Don't use 清洗 for simple handwashing — just say 洗手; 清洗 implies thorough cleaning)

Origin & History

Compound of 清 (clear, clean) and 洗 (wash). Together they emphasize thorough washing to achieve cleanliness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal