xǐyīyè: 洗衣液 - Laundry Detergent, Liquid Detergent

• Keywords: laundry detergent in Chinese, liquid detergent, xiyiye, 洗衣液, washing clothes in China, Chinese laundry vocabulary, household items in Chinese, 洗衣粉, 洗衣皂, how to say laundry detergent in Mandarin
• Summary: Learn how to say “laundry detergent” in Chinese with the term 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè). This guide breaks down the characters 洗 (wash), 衣 (clothes), and 液 (liquid), explains its cultural significance in modern China, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover the difference between liquid detergent (洗衣液), powder detergent (洗衣粉), and laundry soap bars (洗衣皂) to navigate any Chinese supermarket with confidence.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xǐ yī yè
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (The word itself isn't on the list, but its component characters are basic: 洗 is HSK1, 衣 is HSK2).
• Concise Definition: A liquid substance used for washing clothes.
• In a Nutshell: 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) is the modern, common term for liquid laundry detergent. It's a compound word that literally means “wash-clothes-liquid,” making it very easy for learners to remember. It's what you'll find in bottles on the laundry aisle of any Chinese supermarket.

• 洗 (xǐ): This character means “to wash.” You can picture the radical on the left (氵) which means “water,” combined with 先 (xiān) on the right, which provides the sound. To wash, you need water!
• 衣 (yī): This character means “clothes” or “clothing.” It's a pictogram that originally looked like the collar of an ancient garment.
• 液 (yè): This character means “liquid” or “fluid.” Again, you see the water radical (氵) on the left, indicating its nature. The right part, 夜 (yè), provides the sound.

When combined, 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) forms a perfectly logical and descriptive term: Wash (洗) + Clothes (衣) + Liquid (液).

While “laundry detergent” might not seem culturally deep, the prevalence of 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) over other forms of soap speaks to China's rapid modernization and changing consumer habits. For decades, the most common laundry products were 洗衣皂 (xǐyīzào), solid soap bars for handwashing, and 洗衣粉 (xǐyīfěn), powdered detergent. These were inexpensive and effective, especially when most families washed clothes by hand or with older, top-loading washing machines. The rise of 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) in the 21st century mirrors the rise of the urban middle class and the widespread adoption of modern, front-loading, and high-efficiency washing machines. Liquid detergent is often marketed as being gentler on clothes, better for low-temperature washes, and easier to dissolve, aligning with modern values of convenience and higher quality of life. Walking down the laundry aisle in a Chinese supermarket today, you'll see a vast, colorful array of local and international brands of 洗衣液, a testament to the country's developed consumer market.

洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) is a standard household noun used in everyday conversation. You'll encounter it in the following situations:

• Shopping: When writing a shopping list or asking for help in a supermarket (超市, chāoshì).
• Household Chores: When discussing who needs to do the laundry or if you've run out of detergent.
• Product Labels: Reading instructions, ingredients, or special features (e.g., for babies 婴儿专用, for colors 护色).
• Advertisements: TV and online ads frequently promote new formulas of 洗衣液 with enhanced cleaning power or pleasant fragrances.

The term is neutral and has no formal or informal variations. It is the direct and correct term to use in any context.

• Example 1:
  • 我们家的洗衣液用完了，你下班记得买一瓶。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā de xǐyīyè yòng wán le, nǐ xiàbān jìde mǎi yī píng.
  • English: We're out of laundry detergent at home, remember to buy a bottle after work.
  • Analysis: A very common, practical sentence. Note the measure word for a bottle is 瓶 (píng).
• Example 2:
  • 这款洗衣液的香味很好闻。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xǐyīyè de xiāngwèi hěn hǎowén.
  • English: The scent of this brand of laundry detergent is very nice.
  • Analysis: 款 (kuǎn) is a measure word for “type” or “style” of a product, useful when comparing different brands. 好闻 (hǎowén) literally means “good to smell.”
• Example 3:
  • 超市里，洗衣液和洗衣粉在同一个货架上。
  • Pinyin: Chāoshì lǐ, xǐyīyè hé xǐyīfěn zài tóng yī ge huòjià shàng.
  • English: In the supermarket, liquid detergent and powder detergent are on the same shelf.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly compares 洗衣液 with its main alternative, 洗衣粉 (xǐyīfěn). 货架 (huòjià) means “shelf.”
• Example 4:
  • 倒洗衣液的时候小心点，别洒出来了。
  • Pinyin: Dào xǐyīyè de shíhou xiǎoxīn diǎn, bié sǎ chūlái le.
  • English: Be careful when you pour the laundry detergent, don't spill it.
  • Analysis: 倒 (dào) is the verb “to pour.” 洒出来 (sǎ chūlái) is a resultative complement meaning “to spill out.”
• Example 5:
  • 我觉得洗衣液比洗衣粉对衣服更好。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde xǐyīyè bǐ xǐyīfěn duì yīfu gèng hǎo.
  • English: I think liquid detergent is better for clothes than powder detergent.
  • Analysis: The 比 (bǐ) structure is used for comparisons. “A 比 B + adj.” means “A is more [adj.] than B.”
• Example 6:
  • 这件白衬衫上的污渍，需要用强力洗衣液才能洗掉。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn bái chènshān shàng de wūzì, xūyào yòng qiánglì xǐyīyè cái néng xǐ diào.
  • English: The stain on this white shirt needs a powerful laundry detergent to be washed out.
  • Analysis: 强力 (qiánglì) means “strong” or “powerful.” 洗掉 (xǐ diào) is another resultative complement meaning “to wash away.”
• Example 7:
  • 给宝宝洗衣服，我只用婴儿专用的洗衣液。
  • Pinyin: Gěi bǎobao xǐ yīfu, wǒ zhǐ yòng yīng'ér zhuānyòng de xǐyīyè.
  • English: When washing the baby's clothes, I only use laundry detergent specially made for infants.
  • Analysis: 婴儿 (yīng'ér) means “infant,” and 专用 (zhuānyòng) means “for special use” or “dedicated.” This is a common phrase on product packaging.
• Example 8:
  • 你放了多少洗衣液？好像放太多了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ fàng le duōshao xǐyīyè? Hǎoxiàng fàng tài duō le.
  • English: How much laundry detergent did you put in? It seems like you added too much.
  • Analysis: 放 (fàng) means “to put” or “to add.” This is a typical question when doing chores together.
• Example 9:
  • 现在很多洗衣液都有除菌的功能。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài hěn duō xǐyīyè dōu yǒu chú jūn de gōngnéng.
  • English: Nowadays, many laundry detergents have a disinfecting function.
  • Analysis: 除菌 (chú jūn) means “to eliminate germs” or “disinfect.” 功能 (gōngnéng) means “function” or “feature.”
• Example 10:
  • 这瓶洗衣液正在打折，我们多买几瓶吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè píng xǐyīyè zhèngzài dǎzhé, wǒmen duō mǎi jǐ píng ba.
  • English: This bottle of laundry detergent is on sale, let's buy a few more bottles.
  • Analysis: 打折 (dǎzhé) is a key shopping term that means “to be on discount” or “on sale.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè) from other laundry products. Using the wrong term will likely be understood in context, but using the right one shows precision.

• 洗衣液 (xǐyīyè): Liquid laundry detergent in a bottle.
• 洗衣粉 (xǐyīfěn): Powdered laundry detergent (粉 fěn = powder). This was more common in the past.
• 洗衣皂 (xǐyīzào): A solid bar of laundry soap (皂 zào = soap). Used for handwashing tough stains.
• 洗衣凝珠 (xǐyī níngzhū): Laundry pods (凝珠 níngzhū = gel bead). A newer, more convenient form.

Common Mistake: Do not shorten 洗衣液 to 洗液 (xǐyè). While it seems logical, 洗液 (xǐyè) is a general term for “lotion” or “wash,” often in a medical or cosmetic context (e.g., a facial wash, a medical rinse). Asking for 洗液 in a supermarket will cause confusion and lead you to the pharmacy or cosmetics aisle, not the laundry aisle.

• 洗衣粉 (xǐyīfěn) - The main alternative: powder detergent.
• 洗衣皂 (xǐyīzào) - A solid bar of laundry soap, often for handwashing.
• 洗衣机 (xǐyījī) - The machine where you use 洗衣液: a washing machine.
• 柔顺剂 (róushùnjì) - Fabric softener; often sold right next to the laundry detergent.
• 家务 (jiāwù) - The general context for using this product: housework or chores.
• 超市 (chāoshì) - Supermarket; the most common place to buy 洗衣液.
• 晾衣服 (liàng yīfu) - To hang-dry clothes; the next step after washing.
• 污渍 (wūzì) - Stain; the reason you need a good laundry detergent.
• 打折 (dǎzhé) - On sale/discount; a key term for shopping for household goods.