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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'bath' in a separable verb context with 澡 (zǎo)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    洗 + (Modifier) + 澡

    Explanation

    澡 (zǎo) means 'bath' and typically appears as part of the separable verb 洗澡 (to take a bath). It does not stand alone as an independent noun in everyday speech. When the verb is separated, 澡 remains as the object component after any inserted modifiers.

    Examples

    • 快去洗个澡，出了一身汗。

      Kuài qù xǐ ge zǎo, chūle yī shēn hàn.

      Go take a shower — you're all sweaty.

    • 你今天洗澡了没有？

      Nǐ jīntiān xǐzǎo le méiyǒu?

      Did you take a shower today?

    • 他洗完澡就直接睡了。

      Tā xǐ wán zǎo jiù zhíjiē shuì le.

      He went straight to bed after his shower.

    Expressing 'bath' in a separable verb context with 澡 (zǎo) | Chinese Grammar