xǐ: 洗 - To Wash, To Cleanse, To Bathe

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.

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.

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.

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.”

洗 (xǐ) is an extremely common verb used in many different contexts.

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.