Definitions

to wash; to cleanse

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 涤 combines the water radical 氵 on the left, linking it to liquids and washing, with the phonetic component 条 on the right. Its traditional form, 滌, uses the more complex phonetic element 條. The core meaning refers to the physical act of washing, scrubbing, or cleansing objects of dirt. This concept extends metaphorically to include purifying the mind, cleansing oneself of sin or negative thoughts, and clearing away past grievances or bad habits.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件衣服需要洗

Zhè jiàn yīfu xūyào xǐdí.

This piece of clothing needs washing.

她用纶面料做裙子。

Tā yòng dílún miànliào zuò qúnzi.

She used polyester fabric to make a skirt.

洗衣机正在洗衣物。

Xǐyījī zhèngzài díxǐ yīwù.

The washing machine is laundering the clothes.

清风荡了夏日的闷热。

Qīngfēng dídàng le xiàrì de mēnrè.

The fresh breeze cleansed the stifling summer heat.

他的心灵被忏悔净了。

Tā de xīnlíng bèi chànhuǐ díjìng le.

His soul was cleansed by repentance.

这种洗洁精能有效除油污。

Zhè zhǒng xǐjiéjīng néng yǒuxiào díchú yóuwū.

This detergent can effectively remove grease stains.

我们要除思想中的糟粕。

Wǒmen yào díchú sīxiǎng zhōng de zāopò.

We must eliminate the dross from our thinking.

该工厂致力于清工业废水。

Gāi gōngchǎng zhìlì yú díqīng gōngyè fèishuǐ.

The factory is dedicated to purifying industrial wastewater.