濯 (zhuó) · to wash; to rinse

Meanings

1 to wash; to rinse
2 to cleanse

Characters

濯

zhuó

to wash; to cleanse

Examples

HSK 7-9

沧浪之水清兮，可以濯吾缨。

Cānglàng zhī shuǐ qīng xī, kěyǐ zhuó wú yīng.

When the Canglang waters are clear, I can wash my hat-strings in them.

HSK 7-9

莲花出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖。

Liánhuā chū yūní ér bù rǎn, zhuó qīnglián ér bù yāo.

The lotus rises from the mud yet is washed clean and unstained.

Tips

history

濯 is a literary verb meaning to wash or cleanse, both literally and morally. It is famous from 周敦颐's essay on the lotus, washed clean yet not seductive.

Components

radical

氵 sāndiǎnshuǐ

water (radical form)

Left-side three-drop water radical, the side form of 水. Washing needs water, so it carries the core meaning of 濯.

phonetic

翟 dí

long-tailed pheasant

Right side 翟 is the phonetic element; the sound has drifted from dí to zhuó, so read it as a historical sound hint rather than an exact match.

Stroke Order

濯 zhuó

Related Words

可以濯吾缨 kěyǐ zhuó wú yīng

it is fit to wash the tassels of my hat / when the world is pure, one may take office honorably; a symbol of clean engagement versus retreat

濯清涟而不妖 zhuó qīnglián ér bù yāo

washed by clear ripples yet not seductive / cleansed by pure water without becoming vain

洗洗 xǐxi #7,976

to have a quick wash; to give something a wash / to wash up (casual/light action)

清洗 qīngxǐ HSK 6 #5,448

to wash; to rinse; to clean / to purge (figurative)

清洁 qīngjié HSK 6 #4,803

clean; sanitary / to clean; to cleanse

洗涤 xǐdí HSK 7-9 #24,065

to wash / to rinse / to cleanse / to launder

洗手 xǐshǒu #6,005

to wash hands / to quit (a bad habit or criminal activity)

洗 xǐ HSK 2 #890

to wash; to bathe / to develop (photographs) / to shuffle (cards, mahjong tiles) / to erase (a recording)

冲 chōng HSK 5 #809

(of water) to dash against / to mix with water; to infuse / to rinse; to flush / to develop (film) / to rise (in the air) / to clash; to collide

冲洗 chōngxǐ HSK 7-9 #13,530

to rinse / to wash / to develop (film)