漱

潄
shù
欶 + 氵

Definitions

shù to rinse one's mouth with water; to gargle
shù variant of 漱[shù]

Etymology

To gargle 欶 water 氵; 欶 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 漱 is formed as a phono-semantic compound: the water radical 氵 on the left signals an action involving liquid, while the right-hand component 欶 means "to gargle" and supplies the pronunciation. It refers specifically to the act of rinsing the mouth or gargling, a daily routine for oral hygiene after waking or eating. Although its definition is firmly rooted in mundane self-care, the character also surfaces in classical literature and idioms like 漱石枕流 (rinsing the mouth with rocks and pillowing on a stream), which describes an ascetic lifestyle and a withdrawal into harsh natural surroundings.

Example Sentences Hide

我每天饭后漱口。

Wǒ měitiān fàn hòu shùkǒu.

I rinse my mouth after every meal.

他早上先洗漱再吃饭。

Tā zǎoshang xiān xǐshù zài chīfàn.

He washes up first thing in the morning before eating.

你应该用漱口水保持口腔卫生。

Nǐ yīnggāi yòng shùkǒushuǐ bǎochí kǒuqiāng wèishēng.

You should use mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene.

妈妈提醒孩子要好好漱口。

Māma tíxǐng háizi yào hǎohāo shùkǒu.

Mom reminds the child to rinse his mouth thoroughly.

他用冷水漱了漱发麻的喉咙。

Tā yòng lěngshuǐ shùle shù fāmá de hóulóng.

He gargled with cold water to soothe his tingling throat.

手术后的病人需要经常漱口。

Shǒushù hòu de bìngrén xūyào jīngcháng shùkǒu.

Patients after surgery need to gargle frequently.

洗漱完毕，他精神焕发地出门了。

Xǐshù wánbì, tā jīngshén huànfā de chūmén le.

Having finished washing up, he went out feeling refreshed.

她习惯先用温水漱口，再用牙线清洁牙齿。

Tā xíguàn xiān yòng wēnshuǐ shùkǒu, zài yòng yáxiàn qīngjié yáchǐ.

She is accustomed to rinsing with warm water first, then using dental floss to clean her teeth.

Related Characters

Component: 欶

嗽 簌 蔌 嫰 樕

Component: 氵

法 没 海 活 治 清 济 流 深 满 消 注 派 河

Example Words

洗漱 漱口 夏目漱石 梁漱溟 漱口水 漱洗