洗钱 (xǐqián) refers to the process of 'money laundering,' which involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. This term is commonly used in discussions related to crime, finance, and law enforcement, particularly in contexts involving corruption or organized crime.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
xǐqián(xi3qian2) T3
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May 27, 2026
洗钱xǐqián(xi3qian2)
洗钱 (xǐqián) refers to the process of 'money laundering,' which involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. This term is commonly used in discussions related to crime, finance, and law enforcement, particularly in contexts involving corruption or organized crime.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The term 洗钱 has gained prominence in China due to increasing efforts to combat corruption and financial crimes, particularly in the wake of economic reforms. It reflects the country's ongoing struggle to maintain financial integrity and transparency.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone washing dirty money in a washing machine to make it clean and usable. The character 洗 (xǐ) means 'to wash,' and 钱 (qián) means 'money.' Visualize a pile of dirty cash going into the wash, which helps link the pronunciation 'xǐqián' to the act of making money clean.
About 洗钱
洗钱Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 洗钱
Podcast: 洗钱
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AI Study Notes for 洗钱
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone washing dirty money in a washing machine to make it clean and usable. The character 洗 (xǐ) means 'to wash,' and 钱 (qián) means 'money.' Visualize a pile of dirty cash going into the wash, which helps link the pronunciation 'xǐqián' to the act of making money clean.
Usage Notes
Learners should be mindful that 洗钱 is a formal term often used in legal and financial discussions. It is commonly associated with negative connotations, so it is not suitable for casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other similar terms like '洗衣' (to wash clothes).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 7 word, students should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and contexts. This term connects with other financial vocabulary such as '犯罪' (crime) and '贪污' (embezzlement), which are useful for discussing legal issues in Chinese.
Cultural Note
The term 洗钱 has gained prominence in China due to increasing efforts to combat corruption and financial crimes, particularly in the wake of economic reforms. It reflects the country's ongoing struggle to maintain financial integrity and transparency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write it as '洗钱' (xǐqián) but confuse the tone and write it as '喜钱' (xǐqián), which means 'happy money'—a completely different concept. Always remember the correct character 洗 for 'wash.'
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 洗钱
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Cultural Notes for 洗钱
🏮Cultural insight
The term 洗钱 has gained prominence in China due to increasing efforts to combat corruption and financial crimes, particularly in the wake of economic reforms. It reflects the country's ongoing struggle to maintain financial integrity and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions about 洗钱
The literal translation is 'wash money,' which metaphorically refers to making illegally obtained money clean.
No, 洗钱 is more commonly used in formal contexts related to law, finance, and crime.
No, 洗钱 always carries negative connotations, as it refers to illegal activities.
