sai2 zok6洗濯

Jyutpingsai2 zok6

Yalesái johk

動詞

Definition

To wash, clean, or cleanse.

writtendaily actions

How it's used

While 洗濯 is a formal or literary term for cleaning or washing, it is rarely used in daily spoken Cantonese. Native speakers almost exclusively use 洗 when referring to washing clothes, dishes, or hands. Using 洗濯 in casual conversation will sound overly formal or like you are reading from a textbook.

Common phrases

sai2洗ji1衣gei1機

washing machine

sai2洗saam1衫

to do laundry

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use 洗濯 in everyday speech because they see it in written dictionaries, but it sounds unnatural. Stick to the simple verb 洗 for almost all contexts involving water and cleaning.