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March 24, 2026
涤(滌)dí(di2)
The character 涤 (dí) means 'to wash' or 'to cleanse.' It is often used in the context of washing clothes or purifying something, such as in the phrase '洗涤' (xǐdí), which means 'to clean' or 'to wash.' This character conveys a sense of purification, making it suitable for both physical cleaning and metaphorical cleansing.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#59836DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and washing is often associated with purity and moral integrity. This is especially evident during traditional festivals, where cleaning the home symbolizes sweeping away bad luck.
Memory Tip
Imagine a river (水, shuǐ) flowing gently, washing away dirt and impurities. The character 涤 combines the water radical 水, highlighting its connection to washing, with the phonetic component 迪, which sounds like 'dí.' Picture a river's cleansing flow as it sweeps away debris, helping you remember both the meaning and the sound.
Meanings of 涤
dí(di2)
1to wash, to sweep; to purify, to cleanse
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 涤
涤Simplified
滌Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 涤
Podcast: 涤
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AI Study Notes for 涤
Quick Contrast
洗 (xǐ, to wash) vs 清 (qīng, to clean) — use 涤 when emphasizing purification or a more formal context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a river (水, shuǐ) flowing gently, washing away dirt and impurities. The character 涤 combines the water radical 水, highlighting its connection to washing, with the phonetic component 迪, which sounds like 'dí.' Picture a river's cleansing flow as it sweeps away debris, helping you remember both the meaning and the sound.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 涤 is often used in more formal contexts compared to simpler words for 'wash' like 洗 (xǐ). Common collocations include '涤纶' (dílún), meaning 'polyester,' which relates to the cleaning of synthetic fabrics. Ensure to pronounce the second tone correctly, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 涤 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to cleaning and washing. Focus on its usage in compound words and phrases, as this will enhance your understanding of everyday contexts where washing is discussed.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and washing is often associated with purity and moral integrity. This is especially evident during traditional festivals, where cleaning the home symbolizes sweeping away bad luck.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 涤 with 洗 (xǐ) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我需要涤衣服' (wǒ xūyào dí yīfú) instead of '我需要洗衣服' (wǒ xūyào xǐ yīfú) is incorrect; the correct verb for washing clothes in everyday speech is 洗.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涤
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Grammar Patterns of 涤
涤 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
将洗____器的一面涂上安息香并将它贴到皮肤上.
Paint one side of washer with benzoin and apply this side to skin.
Example Sentences for 涤 (7)
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1
将洗涤器的一面涂上安息香并将它贴到皮肤上.
jiāng xǐ dí qì de yī miàn tú shàng ān xī xiāng bìng jiāng tā tiē dào pí fū shàng.
Paint one side of washer with benzoin and apply this side to skin.
PET fibres were grafted acrylonitrile ( AN ) initiated by benzoyl peroxide.
7
这些衣服需要洗涤 ( 熨平 ).
zhè xiē yī fú xū yào xǐ dí( ( yùn).
I'd like these clothes cleaned ( pressed ).
Cultural Notes for 涤
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, and washing is often associated with purity and moral integrity. This is especially evident during traditional festivals, where cleaning the home symbolizes sweeping away bad luck.
Word Family of 涤
Words Containing This Character12
洗涤to rinse洗滌
洗涤剂xǐdíjìcleaning agent洗滌劑
涤díto wash滌
涤纶polyester fiber滌綸
荡涤to clean up蕩滌
涤荡to wash off滌蕩
涤棉polyester-cotton blend滌棉
合成洗涤剂synthetic detergent合成洗滌劑
洗涤灵dishwashing liquid洗滌靈
涤卡polyester khaki (abbr. for 滌綸卡其布|涤纶卡其布)滌卡
涤除to wash away滌除
洗涤器washing appliance洗滌器
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 洗涤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 涤
Common phrases include '洗涤' (xǐdí) for 'to wash' and '涤纶' (dílún) for 'polyester.'
Yes, but it's more commonly found in written language or formal contexts compared to simpler terms like 洗.
It is pronounced with a second tone, so it sounds like 'dí' with a rising intonation.
