梳洗 (shū xǐ) — to wash and groom (especially the hair and face) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A literary or classical-style verb meaning 'to wash up and groom oneself' (hair, face). More elegant than everyday 洗脸 or 刷牙, often used in writing or fixed expressions like 梳洗打扮.

verb

to wash and groom (especially the hair and face)

Examples

梳洗，。
Tā měi tiān zǎo shàng qǐ chuáng hòu xiān shū xǐ, zài chī zǎo cān.
Every morning after getting up, she first washes and grooms, then eats breakfast.
梳洗。
Tā cōng cōng shū xǐ le yí xià jiù chū mén le.
He quickly washed and groomed and then went out.
，梳洗。
Wèi shēng jiān tài xiǎo, shū xǐ hěn bù fāng biàn.
The bathroom is too small, washing and grooming is very inconvenient.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

梳 means comb and 洗 means wash: grooming the hair and face.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

疏

疏shū梳shū

Same sound today

The shape pairs 木 (wood) with 疏, which gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

水水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

先

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

洗 is built from 水 (water) and 先, which gives the character its sound.

Appears in

Hygiene & Grooming

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