洗
xǐ
Water runs across a surface and takes the dirt with it
The picture Water sweeps across a surface, lifts what clung to it, and sends it down the drain. 洗 lifts it off with water; 擦 presses it off with a cloth.
Where the picture shows up in 洗
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sweeping the hands
吃饭前先洗手。
chīfàn qián xiān xǐ shǒu
Wash your hands before you eat.
Hands rubbing together under a tap while water runs over them and down
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working it through fabric
这件衣服要手洗。
zhè jiàn yīfu yào shǒu xǐ
This one has to be hand washed.
The garment sunk in a basin, squeezed and kneaded by hand
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sweeping grease off dishes
碗我来洗。
wǎn wǒ lái xǐ
I'll do the dishes.
At the sink, water poured over greasy bowls and suds running off the rims
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sweeping the whole body
我想先洗个澡。
wǒ xiǎng xiān xǐ ge zǎo
I'd like to shower first.
The shower stream running from hair to heels down the whole body
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what won't lift off
这个污点洗不掉。
zhège wūdiǎn xǐ bu diào
This stain won't come out.
A collar spread open to show the mark still sitting exactly where it was after several washes
All of it in one picture
洗 is one picture: water sweeping over a surface. Sweep it over the backs of your hands and it's washing up before a meal; work it through fabric by hand and it's a hand wash. Sweep the grease off bowls and it's doing the dishes; sweep the whole body and it's a shower. When something stays put after several sweeps, it becomes a stain that won't come out.