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March 24, 2026
澡zǎo(zao3)
The character 澡 (zǎo) refers to the act of bathing or washing oneself, typically in a bath or shower. It is commonly used in contexts related to personal hygiene and relaxation, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in daily life.
Strokes16Radical氵Frequency#3300DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bathing is often considered a ritualistic practice, associated not just with cleanliness but also with relaxation and self-care, reflecting a holistic approach to well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene bath with water (氵) flowing around, and visualize yourself soaking in the tranquility of a 澡 (zǎo) session. The water radical (氵) suggests washing, while the sound 'zǎo' can remind you of the soothing sounds of splashing water.
Meanings of 澡
zǎo(zao3)
1bath
2to wash, to bathe
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 澡
澡Simplified
16Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3300Frequency Rank
Podcast: 澡
Podcast: 澡
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AI Study Notes for 澡
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a serene bath with water (氵) flowing around, and visualize yourself soaking in the tranquility of a 澡 (zǎo) session. The water radical (氵) suggests washing, while the sound 'zǎo' can remind you of the soothing sounds of splashing water.
Usage Notes
澡 is often used in informal contexts, particularly in conversations about personal care. A common mistake is confusing it with 洗 (xǐ), which means 'to wash' but is more general; 澡 specifically refers to bathing. Be mindful of tone, as mispronouncing 'zǎo' can lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 澡 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it relates to other HSK vocabulary focused on cleanliness and daily routines, such as 洗 (xǐ). Students should pay attention to verbs and nouns associated with personal hygiene to expand their vocabulary in this area.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bathing is often considered a ritualistic practice, associated not just with cleanliness but also with relaxation and self-care, reflecting a holistic approach to well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 澡 with 洗 (xǐ), resulting in sentences like '我澡衣服' (I bathe clothes), which is incorrect; the correct expression is '我洗衣服' (I wash clothes). Additionally, mispronouncing 'zǎo' can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 澡
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Grammar Patterns of 澡
澡 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). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
With soap and water, bubbles and boats, children love bathtime.
2
用舒缓沐浴油洗个热水澡吧。
yòng shū huǎn mù yù yóu xǐ gè rè shuǐ zǎo bā。
Try a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil.
3
我觉得我得回家冲个澡。
wǒ jué dé wǒ dé huí jiā chōng gè zǎo。
I think I'll go home and have a shower.
4
这三个小孩用同一盆水洗澡。
zhè sān gè xiǎo hái yòng tóng yī pén shuǐ xǐ zǎo。
The three children all bath in the same bath water.
5
午饭后她突然兴起，决定洗个澡。
wǔ fàn hòu tā tū rán xīng qǐ， ， jué dìng xǐ gè。
After lunch she decided on impulse to take a bath.
6
泡个热水澡是我的最大乐事。
pào gè rè shuǐ zǎo shì wǒ de zuì dà lè shì。
Hot baths are my favourite luxury.
7
在不干净的水中洗澡，他们可能会受到感染。
zài bù gān jìng de shuǐ zhōng xǐ zǎo， ， tā mén kě néng huì shòu dào gǎn。
By bathing in unclean water, they expose themselves to contamination.
8
他们看起来好像已经有好些天没洗澡了。
tā mén kàn qǐ lái hǎo xiàng yǐ jīng yǒu hǎo xiē tiān méi xǐ zǎo le。
They looked as if they hadn't washed in days.
9
我需要在热腾腾的澡盆里好好地泡一泡。
wǒ xū yào zài rè téng téng de zǎo pén lǐ hǎo hǎo dì pào yī pào。
What I need is to soak in a hot tub.
10
她给孩子脱下衣服，然后把她放进锡铁澡盆里。
tā gěi hái zǐ tuō xià yī fú， ， rán hòu bǎ tā fàng jìn xī tiě zǎo pén。
She undressed the child before putting her in the tin bath.
Cultural Notes for 澡
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, taking a bath is not just about hygiene; it is also seen as a way to relax and rejuvenate. Many people enjoy soaking in hot water to relieve stress and improve their well-being.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, bathing is often considered a ritualistic practice, associated not just with cleanliness but also with relaxation and self-care, reflecting a holistic approach to well-being.
Word Family of 澡
Compounds1
藻zao3splendid, magnificent; algae
Words Containing This Character8
洗澡xǐzǎoto bathe
澡zǎobath
澡堂public baths
冲澡to take a shower沖澡
澡盆bath tub
擦澡to take a sponge bath
澡塘communal bath
澡身浴德cleanliness is next to godliness
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 藻 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 澡
Yes, 澡 can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it may appear in discussions about health, hygiene, or cultural practices related to bathing. However, in everyday conversation, simpler terms like 洗 (xǐ) may be more common.
Common phrases with 澡 include '洗澡' (xǐzǎo), which means 'to take a bath or shower,' and '澡堂' (zǎotáng), meaning 'bathhouse.' These phrases are often used in everyday conversation regarding personal care.
澡 (zǎo) means 'bath' or 'to wash/bathe' in Chinese. It is commonly used in the context of taking a bath or shower. The character is often part of phrases related to personal hygiene and cleanliness.
You can use 澡 (zǎo) in a sentence like '我每天都洗澡' (Wǒ měitiān dōu xǐzǎo), which means 'I take a bath every day.' It can also be used in phrases such as '洗澡' (xǐzǎo) which means 'to take a shower/bath.'
No, 澡 is more commonly used in informal conversations rather than in formal writing.
No, 澡 specifically refers to bathing oneself; for washing clothes, you would use 洗 (xǐ).
澡 refers specifically to bathing, while 洗 is a broader term for washing anything.
