The Chinese word 洗衣机 (xǐyījī) for "washing machine" is formed through a logical, descriptive compound structure common in Mandarin: the first character 洗 (xǐ) means "to wash", the second character 衣 (yī) means "clothes", and the third character 机 (jī) means "machine". When combined in sequence, they literally and transparently describe the device's function as a "clothes-washing machine", showcasing how many Chinese nouns are constructed by stringing together root words to create a clear, self-explanatory compound.