冲洗

• Pinyin: chōng xǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 冲 = 冫(ice/water) + 中 (middle) = to flush; 洗 = 氵(water) + 先 (first, phonetic) = to wash

Meaning

To rinse; to wash; to flush. Also refers to developing photographs.

Used for rinsing with water (dishes, vegetables, wounds) and historically for developing film in a darkroom. The photography meaning is becoming less common in the digital age but still recognized.

Examples

1. 做完饭以后记得把砧板彻底冲洗干净。 Remember to thoroughly rinse the cutting board after cooking.
2. 他把胶卷拿到照相馆去冲洗。 He took the film to the photo shop to be developed.
3. 伤口需要用清水冲洗后再消毒包扎。 The wound needs to be rinsed with clean water before disinfecting and bandaging.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, photography, medical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 蔬菜要用流动的水冲洗三遍以上。(Vegetables should be rinsed under running water at least three times.)
• 以前冲洗照片要等好几天。(In the old days, developing photos took several days.)

Don't Say

• 冲洗衣服 (For laundry, use 洗衣服; 冲洗 is for rinsing, not full washing)

Origin & History

Compound of 冲 (to flush/rinse with water) and 洗 (to wash). Together they emphasize thorough washing with flowing water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal