洗衣粉

• Pinyin: xǐ yī fěn
• Hanzi breakdown: 洗 = 氵(water) + 先 (first), meaning to wash; 衣 = pictograph of clothing; 粉 = 米 (rice) + 分 (divide), meaning powder

Meaning

Laundry detergent; washing powder. Powdered cleaning agent for washing clothes.

The traditional form of laundry detergent, though liquid detergent (洗衣液) is now more popular in urban areas. Still commonly used and sold in China, especially for machine washing. Related: 洗衣机 (washing machine), 洗衣液 (liquid detergent).

Examples

1. 这种洗衣粉去污效果特别好，还不伤手。 This laundry detergent has excellent stain-removing power and is gentle on hands.
2. 现在很多人改用洗衣液了，觉得比洗衣粉更方便。 Many people have switched to liquid detergent now, finding it more convenient than powder.
3. 她习惯用洗衣粉洗被单，觉得洗得更干净。 She prefers using laundry powder for bed sheets, feeling it cleans better.

Usage Guide

Context: household, shopping, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 洗衣粉用完了，记得买一袋。(We're out of laundry detergent, remember to buy a bag.)
• 这个牌子的洗衣粉味道很清新。(This brand of laundry detergent has a fresh scent.)

Don't Say

• 我用洗衣粉洗碗 — 洗衣粉只用于洗衣服，洗碗用'洗洁精'

Origin & History

Compound of 洗衣 (to wash clothes) + 粉 (powder). A straightforward descriptive name for powdered laundry soap.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal