washing
washing — 名詞
1. the task of cleaning clothing, sheets, towels, and other fabric items using wate
洗衣;洗滌
清洗衣物的行為或過程
the task of cleaning clothing, sheets, towels, and other fabric items using water and soap or detergent, often in a washing machine or by hand
Manuela does the washing every Sunday morning before breakfast.
Manuela 每個週日早上都會在早餐前洗衣服。
collocation: do the washing
Bao saved energy by doing his washing with cold water rather than hot.
Bao 用冷水洗衣服以節省能源,而不是用熱水。
collocation: do [possessive] washing
The hotel offers a free washing service for guests staying more than three nights.
這家飯店為住宿超過三晚的房客提供免費洗衣服務。
Nora switched to liquid detergent for washing after powder left marks on dark clothes.
Nora 改用液體洗衣精洗衣服,因為洗衣粉會在深色衣物上留下白色痕跡。
- laundry
The standard term in American English; in British English 'laundry' can mean the items themselves or the room where washing is done
- wash
Less common as a noun for this sense; usually 'a wash' refers to one session of washing
- cleaning
Much broader in meaning — includes all types of cleaning, not just fabric items
文法句型
do + the + washing
washing + noun (washing machine, washing powder)
用法筆記
In American English, the word 'laundry' is more common than 'washing' for this sense. The phrase 'do the washing' is especially common in British English.
常見錯誤
2. items of clothing and household fabric that a person still needs to put in the m
衣物
需要洗或已經洗好的衣物
items of clothing and household fabric that a person still needs to put in the machine, is currently cleaning, or has taken out of the machine for drying or ironing
Hari hung the washing on the line to dry in the summer sun.
Hari 把洗好的衣物掛在曬衣繩上,在夏日的陽光下晾乾。
collocation: hang the washing
Iris brought the dry washing inside before the evening dew settled on it.
Iris 在傍晚露水沾濕衣物之前,把乾的衣物收進屋裡。
Zuri sorted the washing into whites and colours before putting it in the machine.
Zuri 把衣物分成白色和有色兩類,然後放進洗衣機裡。
A pile of dirty washing sat in the corner, waiting to be sorted.
房間角落裡堆著一堆待洗的髒衣物,等著分類處理。
文法句型
pile/load/basket + of + washing
the + washing + verb (hanging, drying)
用法筆記
Always uncountable — you cannot say 'a washing' to mean a single item. Use 'an item of washing' or 'a piece of washing' for individual articles. This sense corresponds to American English 'laundry'.
常見錯誤
washing — 字尾
1. a suffix that attaches to adjectives or nouns and creates new nouns naming the d
洗白;漂綠
以虛假言行塑造正面形象
a suffix that attaches to adjectives or nouns and creates new nouns naming the deceptive practice of an organisation, company, or government that publicly claims to support a good cause while secretly doing little or even causing harm
Critics accused the firm of greenwashing for spending more on ads than on cutting emissions.
批評者指控這家企業漂綠行銷,在廣告上的花費遠超過減排的實際投入。
suffix: greenwashing (fake environmental concern)
The government report was dismissed as a whitewashing of serious failures in healthcare.
這份政府報告被認為是在為醫療體系的重大失職進行漂白。
Critics say the campaign is pinkwashing, using LGBTQ+ support to hide harmful business practices.
批評者指出這項運動是粉紅洗白,利用對 LGBTQ+ 的支持來隱藏有害的商業行為。
Kofi argued that hosting the tournament was sportswashing, designed to distract from rights abuses.
Kofi 認為主辦這項賽事是一種體育洗白,目的是轉移人們對人權問題的關注。
- window dressing
Similar idea of presenting a deceptively favourable image, but broader — can apply to any superficial improvement, not just ethics-related claims
- spin
Refers to presenting information in a biased way to create a favourable impression; less specific to transparent deception
- cover-up
Closest to whitewashing specifically; emphasises hiding faults rather than faking virtues
- transparency
The opposite of deceptive practices — openness about one's actions and motives
文法句型
[adjective] + washing → noun (greenwashing)
[noun] + washing → noun (whitewashing)
用法筆記
This is a productive suffix in modern English — new compounds continue to appear in media and political discourse. The pattern always implies deception: the subject claims virtuous intentions but the actions do not match the claims. Common formations include 'greenwashing' (environment), 'whitewashing' (covering up wrongdoing), 'pinkwashing' (LGBTQ+ support as cover), 'purplewashing' (feminism as cover), and 'sportswashing' (using sports events to improve a reputation).