洗涤剂

• Pinyin: xǐ dí jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 洗 = 氵+ 先 (water + first/before — to wash first, cleanse); 涤 = 氵+ 条 (water + strip — to wash clean); 剂 = 刀 + 齐 (knife + even — a regulated preparation or agent)

Meaning

Detergent; cleaning agent. A chemical substance used for washing and cleaning.

The formal term for detergent in Chinese, covering dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and industrial cleaning agents. More technical than the colloquial 洗洁精 (dishwashing liquid). Common in product labelling, scientific contexts, and environmental discussions about chemical pollution.

Examples

1. 使用洗涤剂清洗蔬菜水果后，务必用清水彻底冲洗干净，以去除残留。 After washing fruits and vegetables with detergent, be sure to rinse them thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue.
2. 工厂废水中含有大量未经处理的工业洗涤剂，严重污染了附近的河流。 Factory wastewater contains large amounts of untreated industrial detergents, seriously polluting nearby rivers.
3. 研究人员正在开发一种以天然植物成分为基础的环保型洗涤剂，以减少对水体的污染。 Researchers are developing an eco-friendly detergent based on natural plant ingredients to reduce pollution of water bodies.

Usage Guide

Context: household, industry, environment, science, product labelling

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 检查发现，部分企业违规排放含高浓度洗涤剂的废水，难以降解，已被责令停产整改。(An inspection found that some companies were illegally discharging wastewater containing high concentrations of detergent. It is hard to break down, and they have been ordered to stop production and make corrections.)
• 这份洗碗机洗涤剂评测比较了去污力、腐蚀性、残留和环保影响，建议关注磷含量和认证。(This dishwasher detergent review compared stain removal, corrosiveness, residue, and environmental impact, and recommends checking phosphorus content and certification.)

Don't Say

• 洗涤剂 when specifically referring to shampoo or body wash — use 洗发水 (shampoo) or 沐浴露 (shower gel); 洗涤剂 refers primarily to dishwashing or laundry cleaning agents rather than personal care products, and applying it to hair and body products sounds clinical or odd

Origin & History

洗 (to wash, rinse) + 涤 (to cleanse, wash away — 涤 = 氵+ 条 (water + strip/flow — to wash clean by flowing water)) + 剂 (agent, preparation — 剂 = 刀 + 齐 (knife + even/regulated — a measured preparation))

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal