Definitions

zào (noun) soap
zào (adjective) black

Etymology

About

The character 皂 originated as the variant 皁, an ideogram for black or dark crimson. In ancient texts, it often described the dark garments of minor officials or servants and also denoted an acron or the oak tree producing it. Its modern form combines 白 (white) at the top with 匕 below. Over time, the character became linked to the soapberry plant, whose boiled pods served as a natural cleanser. Consequently, its primary meaning shifted from the color black to represent soap and modern cleaning products.

Example Sentences Hide

这块肥很香。

Zhè kuài féizào hěn xiāng.

This bar of soap smells very nice.

我用香洗了脸。

Wǒ yòng xiāngzào xǐ le liǎn.

I washed my face with scented soap.

盒里有一块新肥

Zào hé lǐ yǒu yī kuài xīn féizào.

There is a new bar of soap in the soap dish.

古代的角可以用来清洁。

Gǔdài de zàojiǎo kěyǐ yòng lái qīngjié.

In ancient times, honey locust pods could be used for cleaning.

请把液倒入洗衣机。

Qǐng bǎ zàoyè dào rù xǐyījī.

Please pour the laundry detergent into the washing machine.

这块手工的成分很天然。

Zhè kuài shǒugōng zào de chéngfèn hěn tiānrán.

The ingredients of this handmade soap are very natural.

他的脸色变得白分明。

Tā de liǎnsè biàn de zào bái fēnmíng.

His complexion turned pale, making a clear contrast.

这种化反应是制作肥的关键步骤。

Zhè zhǒng zàohuà fǎnyìng shì zhìzuò féizào de guānjiàn bùzhòu.

This saponification reaction is a key step in making soap.