洗澡 (xǐ zǎo) — to take a shower or bath

Definition

A common verb-object phrase meaning 'to bathe / take a shower.' Everyday speech; 沐浴 is the formal/literary equivalent.

verb

to take a shower or bath

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

洗 is to wash, 澡 is a bath, so it means to take a bath.

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

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.

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

喿

喿zào澡zǎo

Same sound today

澡 uses 水 (water) to show the idea of washing and 喿 to give the sound.

Appears in