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洗 [2025/08/12 21:26] – created xiaoer洗 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== xǐ: 洗 - To Wash, To Cleanse, To Bathe ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** xǐ, 洗, how to say wash in Chinese, Chinese character for wash, wash hands in Chinese, wash clothes in Chinese, xǐ shǒu, xǐ zǎo, xǐ yīfu, 洗澡, 洗手, 洗衣服, to develop photos Chinese, to shuffle cards Chinese, Chinese verb wash, clean vs wash in Chinese. +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **洗 (xǐ)**, meaning "to wash." This fundamental HSK 1 character is used for everything from washing your hands (洗手) and clothes (洗衣服) to taking a shower (洗澡). Discover its surprisingly versatile uses, including developing photos (洗照片), shuffling cards (洗牌), and even in metaphorical phrases like "brainwashing" (洗脑). This guide provides everything a beginner needs to master its usage in daily life and understand its cultural nuances. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xǐ +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb +
-  * **HSK Level:** 1 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To clean something with water or another liquid; to wash. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **洗 (xǐ)** is one of the first verbs you'll learn in Chinese, and for good reason. It's the universal word for "to wash." Think of any action where water is used to clean something—your hands, your face, your car, your dishes—and **洗 (xǐ)** is almost always the right word. Beyond its literal meaning, it extends to concepts that involve a process of "cleansing" or "resetting," like developing film or shuffling cards. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **洗 (xǐ):** This character is a perfect example of a phono-semantic compound, where one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound. +
-    * **氵(shuǐ):** This is the "water" radical. It's a compressed form of the character 水 (shuǐ). Whenever you see this on the left side of a character, it's a strong clue that the meaning is related to water or liquid. +
-    * **先 (xiān):** This character means "first" or "before." In **洗**, it primarily provides the phonetic sound. The pronunciation of `xiān` is very close to `xǐ`, guiding you to the correct sound. +
-  * **Combined Meaning:** You can think of it simply as "an action related to **water (氵)** that sounds like **xiān (先)**." This combination creates the clear concept of washing. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-  * While "washing" is a universal concept, the word **洗 (xǐ)** is embedded in daily routines and phrases that reflect Chinese culture. The common term for a restroom is **洗手间 (xǐshǒujiān)**, literally the "wash hands room," emphasizing the act of hygiene as the room's primary polite function. +
-  * Compared to the English concept of "a fresh start," Chinese uses **洗** in a much more visceral, transformative metaphor. The idiom **洗心革面 (xǐ xīn gé miàn)** literally means "to wash the heart and change the face." This isn't just about turning over a new leaf; it implies a deep, moral cleansing of one's inner self to become a completely new person. It highlights a cultural belief in the possibility of profound personal reform through a purifying process. This is much stronger than the casual Western phrase "to wipe the slate clean." +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-  * **洗 (xǐ)** is an extremely common verb used in many different contexts. +
-  * **Daily Hygiene and Chores:** This is its most frequent use. +
-    * **洗手 (xǐ shǒu):** to wash hands +
-    * **洗脸 (xǐ liǎn):** to wash one's face +
-    * **洗头 (xǐ tóu):** to wash one's hair / shampoo +
-    * **洗澡 (xǐ zǎo):** to take a bath or shower +
-    * **洗衣服 (xǐ yīfu):** to wash clothes +
-    * **洗碗 (xǐ wǎn):** to wash dishes +
-  * **Extended & Abstract Meanings:** The concept of "cleansing" or "processing" allows **洗** to be used in non-obvious ways. +
-    * **洗照片 (xǐ zhàopiàn):** to develop photos (a process using chemical liquids). +
-    * **洗牌 (xǐ pái):** to shuffle playing cards (to "cleanse" the old order). +
-    * **洗车 (xǐ chē):** to wash a car. +
-  * **Negative Connotations:** The verb can also be used in serious, negative contexts. +
-    * **洗钱 (xǐ qián):** money laundering (to "wash" dirty money clean). +
-    * **洗脑 (xǐ nǎo):** to brainwash (to "wash" someone's brain). +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 吃饭以前，你一定要**洗**手。 +
-    * Pinyin: Chīfàn yǐqián, nǐ yīdìng yào **xǐ** shǒu. +
-    * English: Before eating, you must wash your hands. +
-    * Analysis: A very common and practical sentence. **洗手 (xǐ shǒu)** is a set phrase for washing hands. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 今天太热了，我想**洗**个澡。 +
-    * Pinyin: Jīntiān tài rè le, wǒ xiǎng **xǐ** ge zǎo. +
-    * English: It's so hot today, I want to take a shower. +
-    * Analysis: **洗澡 (xǐ zǎo)** is the standard term for bathing or showering. The `个 (ge)` makes the action more casual and singular. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 这件白衬衫脏了，我得**洗**一下。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn bái chènshān zāng le, wǒ děi **xǐ** yīxià. +
-    * English: This white shirt is dirty, I have to wash it. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **洗** is used on its own as a verb acting on an object (the shirt). `一下 (yīxià)` softens the tone, meaning "to do it for a bit." +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 你能帮我把这些碗**洗**了吗？ +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ zhèxiē wǎn **xǐ** le ma? +
-    * English: Can you help me wash these dishes? +
-    * Analysis: This sentence uses the `把 (bǎ)` construction to emphasize the action of washing on the object (the dishes). +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 我每个周末都**洗**车。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge zhōumò dōu **xǐ** chē. +
-    * English: I wash my car every weekend. +
-    * Analysis: A simple sentence showing **洗** used with a larger object, the car. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 这家店可以**洗**照片吗？ +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn kěyǐ **xǐ** zhàopiàn ma? +
-    * English: Does this shop develop photos? +
-    * Analysis: This demonstrates the abstract use of **洗**. Learners are often surprised that "wash" is used for developing film. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 轮到你**洗**牌了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Lún dào nǐ **xǐ** pái le. +
-    * English: It's your turn to shuffle the cards. +
-    * Analysis: **洗牌 (xǐ pái)** is the set phrase for shuffling cards, another common abstract usage. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 牙医建议我每年**洗**一次牙。 +
-    * Pinyin: Yáyī jiànyì wǒ měi nián **xǐ** yī cì yá. +
-    * English: The dentist recommends I get my teeth professionally cleaned once a year. +
-    * Analysis: This is a nuanced use. While you `刷牙 (shuā yá)` (brush teeth) daily, `洗牙 (xǐ yá)` specifically means a professional dental cleaning. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 他们试图给这些囚犯**洗**脑。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tāmen shìtú gěi zhèxiē qiúfàn **xǐ** nǎo. +
-    * English: They attempted to brainwash these prisoners. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the powerful and negative metaphorical use of **洗**. **洗脑 (xǐ nǎo)** is a direct and widely understood term. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 他犯了罪，但现在他想**洗**心革面，重新做人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā fàn le zuì, dàn xiànzài tā xiǎng **xǐ** xīn gé miàn, chóngxīn zuò rén. +
-    * English: He committed a crime, but now he wants to turn over a new leaf and become a new person. +
-    * Analysis: This uses the idiom **洗心革面 (xǐ xīn gé miàn)** to show a desire for profound change. This is advanced but demonstrates the cultural depth of the character. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **`洗` (xǐ) vs. `刷` (shuā):** This is a critical distinction. +
-    * **洗 (xǐ)** means to wash, usually involving soaking or rinsing with water (e.g., `洗衣服` - wash clothes). +
-    * **刷 (shuā)** means to brush or scrub, implying a tool and a more abrasive action (e.g., `刷鞋` - brush shoes). +
-    * **Common Mistake:** Saying `洗牙 (xǐ yá)` for daily teeth cleaning. You should say **`刷牙 (shuā yá)`** (to brush teeth). As noted above, `洗牙` means a professional dental cleaning. +
-    * **Overlap:** You can `洗碗 (xǐ wǎn)` (wash dishes) or `刷碗 (shuā wǎn)` (scrub dishes). `刷` implies more vigorous scrubbing. +
-  * **`洗` (xǐ) vs. `打扫` (dǎsǎo):** Don't use `洗` for general cleaning. +
-    * **`洗`** requires a liquid. You can't `洗你的房间` (wash your room). +
-    * **`打扫 (dǎsǎo)`** means to clean, sweep, or tidy up a space. +
-    * **Correct Usage:** **`打扫房间 (dǎsǎo fángjiān)`** (to clean the room). +
-  * **`洗澡` (xǐ zǎo) vs. `沐浴` (mùyù):** +
-    * **`洗澡`** is the everyday, colloquial word for taking a bath or shower. +
-    * **`沐浴 (mùyù)`** is more formal and literary. It's often used metaphorically, e.g., `沐浴在阳光下 (mùyù zài yángguāng xià)` - to be bathed in sunlight. You wouldn't tell your friend, "I'm going to go `沐浴`." +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * **[[打扫]] (dǎsǎo)** - To clean, sweep, or tidy a space (generally without water). A broader term for cleaning than `洗`. +
-  * **[[刷]] (shuā)** - To brush; to scrub. Used when a brushing action is involved, like with teeth or shoes. +
-  * **[[干净]] (gānjìng)** - (Adjective) Clean. This is the result you want after you `洗` something. +
-  * **[[洗澡]] (xǐ zǎo)** - To take a bath/shower. The most common compound word for personal washing. +
-  * **[[洗衣机]] (xǐyījī)** - Washing machine (lit. "wash clothes machine"). +
-  * **[[洗手间]] (xǐshǒujiān)** - Restroom, bathroom (lit. "wash hands room"). +
-  * **[[干洗]] (gānxǐ)** - Dry cleaning (lit. "dry wash"). +
-  * **[[冲洗]] (chōngxǐ)** - To rinse; to flush. Implies using flowing water to wash something away. +
-  * **[[洗脑]] (xǐ nǎo)** - To brainwash. A powerful metaphorical extension of `洗`. +
-  * **[[洗心革面]] (xǐ xīn gé miàn)** - An idiom meaning to thoroughly reform oneself; to turn over a new leaf.+