In China, most apartment buildings don’t have in-unit washing machines, and laundromats are a completely different experience than back home. So knowing how to say laundry in Chinese is pretty much essential from day one. The word is 洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu), which literally means “wash clothes.”
I’ve spent twelve years in Tianjin, passed HSK5, and studied Intercultural Studies, and I can tell you that laundry trips were some of my first real Chinese conversations. Whether you’re negotiating with a bedroom landlord about machine access or hunting for a bathroom with a place to hang wet clothes, this vocabulary comes up constantly. You can also expand your laundry vocabulary with ChineseClass101’s full word list for this topic.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly how to say laundry in Chinese, plus all the related words you’ll need. From finding a shower of water pressure for your rinse cycle to asking how much the dry cleaner charges, you’ll be covered.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The standard Chinese word for laundry is 洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu), literally “wash clothes.”
- 洗衣 (xǐ yī) is a shorter, more formal version you’ll see on signs and in business names.
- Most Chinese homes and apartments don’t have clothes dryers, so expect to air-dry everything on balconies or indoor racks.
Core Ways to Say Laundry in Chinese
洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu), The Standard Term
洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu) is the everyday phrase you’ll use constantly. It breaks down simply: 洗 (xǐ) means “wash,” 衣 (yī) means “clothing,” and 服 (fu) also means “clothing” or “garment.” Together they make “wash clothes,” which is exactly what laundry is. The Cambridge Dictionary entry for “laundry” shows this maps cleanly between English and Chinese.
Use this phrase when you’re talking about the actual task. “I need to do laundry” becomes 我要洗衣服 (wǒ yào xǐ yī fu). When I first moved into my Tianjin apartment, I pointed at the washing machine and said 这里可以洗衣服吗? (zhè lǐ kě yǐ xǐ yī fu ma?), which means “Can I do laundry here?” The landlord nodded and held up two fingers. Two yuan per load. Simple.
洗衣 (xǐ yī), The Formal Version
You’ll see 洗衣 (xǐ yī) on storefronts, business signs, and formal contexts. It’s shorter and sounds more professional. A laundromat might call itself 洗衣店 (xǐ yī diàn), which means “laundry shop.” Dry cleaners use 干洗店 (gān xǐ diàn), literally “dry wash shop.”
If you’re looking for a place to drop off clothes, search for 洗衣店 or 干洗店 on shopping apps like Meituan. They’ll pick up your clothes, clean them, and deliver everything back within 24 hours.
Pronunciation Guide
洗衣服 breaks down as xǐ (third tone, falling then rising) + yī (first tone, high flat) + fu (neutral tone, no emphasis). The neutral tone on 服 is important. Don’t say it with force. Let it trail off. The full phrase sounds like “shee ee foo” with the emphasis on the first syllable.
One common mistake: some learners try to pronounce 服 as second tone (fú). It should be soft and neutral. Listen to native speakers and you’ll notice the difference immediately.
Related Vocabulary
Laundry doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You’ll need detergent, fabric softener, and the ability to ask for help when the machine breaks. Here are the words that matter.
Washing Machine and Detergent
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| washing machine | 洗衣机 | xǐ yī jī |
| detergent | 洗衣液 | xǐ yī yè |
| fabric softener | 柔顺剂 | róu shùn jì |
| bleach | 漂白剂 | piǎo bái jì |
| clothes hanger | 衣架 | yī jià |
| drying rack | 晾衣架 | liàng yī jià |
When buying supplies at the supermarket, look for 洗衣液 (liquid detergent) or 洗衣粉 (powder detergent, xǐ yī fěn). Most Chinese households prefer liquid. It dissolves better in cold water, which matters because many washing machines here don’t have hot water connections. The Yabla Chinese dictionary has a useful breakdown of related compound words like 洗衣机 and 洗衣液.
Dry Clean and Ironing
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| dry clean | 干洗 | gān xǐ |
| dry cleaner | 干洗店 | gān xǐ diàn |
| iron (verb) | 熨 | yùn |
| ironing board | 熨衣板 | yùn yī bǎn |
| wrinkle | 皱 | zhòu |
| stain | 污渍 | wū zì |
For formal wear or business shirts, you’ll want 干洗 (gān xǐ). A typical dress shirt costs 10-20 yuan to clean and press. Most 干洗店 offer same-day service if you drop off before 10 AM. They’ll text you when it’s ready.
Useful Laundry Phrases
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the washing machine? | 洗衣机在哪里? | xǐ yī jī zài nǎ lǐ? |
| How much per load? | 洗一次多少钱? | xǐ yī cì duō shǎo qián? |
| Can I use this machine? | 我可以用这个吗? | wǒ kě yǐ yòng zhè ge ma? |
| Please don’t mix colors | 请不要混色 | qǐng bú yào hùn sè |
| My clothes are still wet | 我的衣服还湿 | wǒ de yī fu hái shī |
| Where can I hang clothes? | 哪里可以晾衣服? | nǎ lǐ kě yǐ liàng yī fu? |
Cultural Context: Laundry in China
The No-Dryer Reality
Here’s something that shocks most foreigners: clothes dryers are extremely rare in Chinese homes. You’ll find washing machines everywhere, but almost nobody owns a dryer. Instead, people hang clothes on balconies, window frames, and indoor drying racks.
This isn’t just about saving money. It’s cultural. Chinese people believe that sunlight naturally disinfects and deodorizes clothes. Many also feel that dryers damage fabric and cause shrinkage. When I first moved to Tianjin, I bought a dryer. My neighbors thought I was eccentric. The landlord asked if I was running a business.
In summer, clothes dry in two hours on a balcony. In winter, you’ll need an indoor rack near a heater. Plan accordingly. Bring more underwear than you think you need.
Neighborhood Laundry Services
Most residential neighborhoods have small 洗衣店 that handle bulk laundry. You drop off a bag, they weigh it, and charge by the kilo. A typical rate is 3-5 yuan per kilogram for wash and fold service. They’ll separate colors, use proper detergent, and fold everything neatly.
For busy professionals, apps like Meituan and Ele.me offer laundry pickup and delivery. A driver collects your bag in the morning and returns clean clothes by evening. Prices are slightly higher (5-8 yuan per kilo) but the convenience is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say “I need to do laundry” in Chinese?
我要洗衣服 (wǒ yào xǐ yī fu) means “I need to do laundry.” Add 今天 (jīn tiān, today) at the beginning for “I need to do laundry today.”
What’s the difference between 洗衣服 and 洗衣?
洗衣服 (xǐ yī fu) is the full everyday term. 洗衣 (xǐ yī) is shorter and more formal, used on signs and in business names. Both mean the same thing.
How much does laundry cost in China?
Self-service in your building: 2-4 yuan per load. Neighborhood laundry service: 3-5 yuan per kilogram. Dry cleaning: 10-30 yuan per item depending on fabric.
Do Chinese apartments have washing machines?
Most modern apartments do, but older buildings may not. Some landlords provide one as part of the rental. Always check before signing a lease.
How do I ask for fabric softener at the store?
Ask for 柔顺剂 (róu shùn jì). If they don’t understand, say 让衣服变软的 (ràng yī fu biàn ruǎn de), which means “the thing that makes clothes soft.”
Advanced Ways for How to Say Laundry in Chinese Sentences
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these more complex sentences. They use 把 (bǎ) constructions, resultative complements, and time expressions that native speakers actually use.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I finished doing the laundry | 我洗完衣服了 | wǒ xǐ wán yī fu le |
| Hang the clothes on the balcony | 把衣服晾在阳台上 | bǎ yī fu liàng zài yáng tái shàng |
| The washing machine is broken | 洗衣机坏了 | xǐ yī jī huài le |
| These clothes need to be dry cleaned | 这些衣服要干洗 | zhè xiē yī fu yào gān xǐ |
| Separate the white clothes | 把白衣服分开 | bǎ bái yī fu fēn kāi |
| The clothes haven’t dried yet | 衣服还没干 | yī fu hái méi gān |
| I left my clothes in the machine | 我把衣服忘在洗衣机里了 | wǒ bǎ yī fu wàng zài xǐ yī jī lǐ le |
| Call the laundry service to pick up | 叫洗衣店来取 | jiào xǐ yī diàn lái qǔ |
| These stains won’t come out | 这些污渍洗不掉 | zhè xiē wū zì xǐ bu diào |
| I’ll do laundry this weekend | 这周末我要洗衣服 | zhè zhōu mò wǒ yào xǐ yī fu |
Notice how native speakers drop subjects when context is clear. 衣服还没干 (yī fu hái méi gān) technically says “The clothes haven’t dried yet,” but nobody would bother saying 我的 unless they were emphasizing ownership. This is how real Chinese sounds. Clean and efficient.
For more everyday vocabulary, check out our guides on water, shower, and towel. And if you’re setting up a new apartment, you’ll definitely need bedroom and bathroom vocabulary too.
