Level 2 · Unit 4 Education & Daily Tasks

How to Write 洗 (xǐ)

Meaning: "Wash"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 洗

The character 洗 (Traditional: 洗) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Wash". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 9-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Education & Daily Tasks, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

洗澡 xǐzǎo sai2 cou2
to take a bath or shower
洗手 xǐshǒu sai2 sau2
to wash hands

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 洗 is built on the radical 氵 (water), 85. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: 氵 (water) indicates meaning, 先 (xiān) indicates sound/phonetic element.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我每天早上都要洗脸。

Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dōu yào xǐliǎn.

Traditional: 我每天早上都要洗臉。

ngo5 mui5 tin1 zou2 soeng6 dou1 jiu3 sai2 lim5.

"I wash my face every morning."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as xǐ. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is sai2. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '洗'?

A) Wash
B) Eat
C) Sleep
D) Run

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 4

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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