Definitions

shì to wipe

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "拭", meaning to wipe, is a phono-semantic compound incorporating the hand radical (扌) to indicate manual action and the component "式" primarily for its phonetic value. Its etymology shows consistent use in classical texts to denote the physical act of rubbing or cleaning surfaces. While the core meaning has remained stable over time, the character has seen limited metaphorical application, as in the expression "拭目以待" where it suggests clearing the eyes to watch, yet this figurative usage has not shifted its essential definition as a verb for cleansing through contact. The structural integrity of the character has been maintained, reflecting its specific function within the lexicon.

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈擦厨房的台面。

Māmā cāshì chúfáng de táimiàn.

Mom wipes the kitchen counter.

他用布去桌子上的水。

Tā yòng bù shì qù zhuōzi shàng de shuǐ.

He uses a cloth to wipe the water off the table.

弟弟仔细擦了自己的玩具。

Dìdi zǐxì cāshì le zìjǐ de wánjù.

Younger brother carefully wiped his own toys.

工人正在擦工厂的机器。

Gōngrén zhèngzài cāshì gōngchǎng de jīqì.

The worker is wiping the factory machine.

请记得擦教室的窗户。

Qǐng jìde cāshì jiàoshì de chuānghu.

Please remember to wipe the classroom windows.

她轻轻去孩子脸上的污渍。

Tā qīngqīng shì qù háizi liǎn shàng de wūzì.

She gently wipes away the dirt from the child's face.

在保养汽车时,务必擦内部仪表盘。

Zài bǎoyǎng qìchē shí, wùbì cāshì nèibù yíbiǎopán.

When maintaining the car, be sure to wipe the interior dashboard.

为了防止细菌传播,每日擦手机屏幕是很好的习惯。

Wèile fángzhǐ xìjūn chuánbō, měirì cāshì shǒujī píngmù shì hěn hǎo de xíguàn.

To prevent bacterial spread, wiping the phone screen daily is a good habit.