Definitions
(noun)
soap
(adjective)
black
Etymology
About
The character "皂" initially referred to a type of oak tree whose acorns were used to produce a black dye, leading to an early association with the color black. Its modern structure combines the components "白" meaning white and "七" meaning seven, a configuration that does not reflect its etymological origins. Over time, the term's meaning shifted from the tree and dye to broadly indicate the color black, and later it was applied to soap, which was historically made from animal fats and plant ashes including those from such trees. The traditional form "皁" incorporates "白" and "十", but "皂" has become the standard character in contemporary usage.
Example Sentences Hide
这块肥皂很香。
我用香皂洗了脸。
皂盒里有一块新肥皂。
古代的皂角可以用来清洁。
请把皂液倒入洗衣机。
这块手工皂的成分很天然。
他的脸色变得皂白分明。
这种皂化反应是制作肥皂的关键步骤。