Body Care and Hygiene in Traditional Chinese

Traditional Chinese topic title: 身體清潔與個人衛生

Traditional characters Pinyin with tone marks Real-life examples Tap-to-hear audio

Tip: Tap the speaker buttons to hear the Traditional Chinese (Taiwan Mandarin, zh-TW).

This is your “I can survive a bathroom, a pharmacy aisle, and a humid summer” vocabulary pack. You’ll get Traditional Chinese (Hanzi), pinyin with tone marks, clear meanings, and example sentences you can actually use.

Start with the quick-win cards, steal the ready-made phrases, then grab the bigger tables when you’re ready to level up your hygiene game (and your social life).

Yak Snark: Hygiene vocab is weirdly high-stakes. One tiny word mix-up and suddenly you’re asking for “toilet paper” when you meant “mouthwash.” Let’s not live like that.

Quick-use essentials (tap to hear)

These are the high-frequency words you’ll use constantly: hands, teeth, shower, face… the basics that keep you from feeling like a sticky mystery.

洗澡

xǐ zǎo

to bathe / to shower

我每天晚上都洗澡。

wǒ měi tiān wǎn shàng dōu xǐ zǎo

I shower every night.

洗手

xǐ shǒu

to wash hands

吃飯前要先洗手。

chī fàn qián yào xiān xǐ shǒu

Wash your hands before eating.

刷牙

shuā yá

to brush teeth

睡前別忘了刷牙。

shuì qián bié wàng le shuā yá

Don’t forget to brush your teeth before bed.

牙膏

yá gāo

toothpaste

牙膏快用完了。

yá gāo kuài yòng wán le

The toothpaste is almost finished.

肥皂

féi zào

soap

用肥皂洗手比較乾淨。

yòng féi zào xǐ shǒu bǐ jiào gān jìng

Washing hands with soap is cleaner.

洗髮精

xǐ fà jīng

shampoo

我用這瓶洗髮精，味道很舒服。

wǒ yòng zhè píng xǐ fà jīng wèi dào hěn shū fu

I use this shampoo; it smells really nice.

洗面乳

xǐ miàn rǔ

facial cleanser

我早上用洗面乳洗臉。

wǒ zǎo shàng yòng xǐ miàn rǔ xǐ liǎn

I wash my face with facial cleanser in the morning.

口罩

kǒu zhào

mask

人多的地方我會戴口罩。

rén duō de dì fāng wǒ huì dài kǒu zhào

I wear a mask in crowded places.

Useful phrases you can say today

These are the “real life” sentences that show up in homes, gyms, dorms, and anywhere humans exist. (Yes, even the nice ones.)

我先去洗個手。

wǒ xiān qù xǐ ge shǒu
Meaning: I’ll go wash my hands first.

Quick, polite, and very hard to argue with.

你要不要沖個澡？

nǐ yào bú yào chōng ge zǎo
Meaning: Do you want to take a quick shower?

Useful after sports… or after a humid commute.

記得刷牙、用牙線。

jì de shuā yá, yòng yá xiàn
Meaning: Remember to brush and floss.

The sentence your dentist wishes you’d tattoo on your brain.

這個肥皂好香。

zhè ge féi zào hǎo xiāng
Meaning: This soap smells so good.

Small talk, but make it clean.

我忘了帶止汗劑。

wǒ wàng le dài zhǐ hàn jì
Meaning: I forgot deodorant/antiperspirant.

A tragedy. A solvable one, but still.

你的手乾乾的，擦點護手霜吧。

nǐ de shǒu gān gān de, cā diǎn hù shǒu shuāng ba
Meaning: Your hands are dry—put on some hand cream.

Kind, practical, and slightly judgmental (in a loving way).

我去補擦防曬。

wǒ qù bǔ cā fáng shài
Meaning: I’m going to reapply sunscreen.

Future-you will thank you. Your skin too.

別用手摸臉。

bié yòng shǒu mō liǎn
Meaning: Don’t touch your face with your hands.

Great advice. Hard to follow. Still great.

洗髮精用完了。

xǐ fà jīng yòng wán le
Meaning: The shampoo is finished.

This is how you end up using body wash on your hair. Don’t.

先消毒一下。

xiān xiāo dú yí xià
Meaning: Disinfect first.

Simple, clear, and very 2020s.

口罩戴好。

kǒu zhào dài hǎo
Meaning: Wear your mask properly.

Translation: cover the nose, bestie.

我去換件乾淨的衣服。

wǒ qù huàn jiàn gān jìng de yī fu
Meaning: I’m going to change into clean clothes.

The sentence of fresh starts.

馬桶要沖乾淨喔。

mǎ tǒng yào chōng gān jìng ō
Meaning: Flush the toilet properly, okay?

A gentle reminder. With consequences.

A tiny Taiwan Mandarin note (so signs make sense)

In Taiwan, you’ll commonly see words like 洗髮精 (shampoo) and 蓮蓬頭 (shower head). They’re normal, everyday choices—not “fancy learner” words. Also, 衛生 (hygiene) shows up everywhere: from bathroom signs to product labels.

And yes, 乾洗手 is widely used for hand sanitizer. It’s basically “dry hand-wash,” which is oddly poetic for… alcohol gel.

More body-care words (grouped, with examples)

These tables cover the rest: shower stuff, bathroom basics, oral care, hair, skincare, grooming, and a few health hygiene essentials.

Shower & bath

Clean body, happy life

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
沐浴乳	mù yù rǔ	body wash	我用沐浴乳洗澡。 wǒ yòng mù yù rǔ xǐ zǎo	I use body wash to shower.
香皂	xiāng zào	bar soap (often scented)	這塊香皂洗完手很香。 zhè kuài xiāng zào xǐ wán shǒu hěn xiāng	This bar soap smells nice after washing.
沖澡	chōng zǎo	to take a quick shower	我運動完先沖澡。 wǒ yùn dòng wán xiān chōng zǎo	I take a quick shower after exercising.
泡澡	pào zǎo	to take a bath (soak)	今天太累了，我想泡澡。 jīn tiān tài lèi le, wǒ xiǎng pào zǎo	I’m so tired today; I want to take a bath.
淋浴	lín yù	shower (noun)	這裡只有淋浴，沒有浴缸。 zhè lǐ zhǐ yǒu lín yù, méi yǒu yù gāng	There’s only a shower here, no bathtub.
浴缸	yù gāng	bathtub	這間旅館有浴缸。 zhè jiān lǚ guǎn yǒu yù gāng	This hotel has a bathtub.
蓮蓬頭	lián péng tóu	shower head (common in Taiwan)	蓮蓬頭水壓有點小。 lián péng tóu shuǐ yā yǒu diǎn xiǎo	The shower head water pressure is a bit low.
毛巾	máo jīn	towel	毛巾要常常洗。 máo jīn yào cháng cháng xǐ	Towels should be washed often.

Hands & bathroom

The “don’t be gross” zone

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
洗手乳	xǐ shǒu rǔ	liquid hand soap	洗手台旁邊有洗手乳。 xǐ shǒu tái páng biān yǒu xǐ shǒu rǔ	There’s liquid hand soap next to the sink.
乾洗手	gān xǐ shǒu	hand sanitizer	進門前先噴乾洗手。 jìn mén qián xiān pēn gān xǐ shǒu	Use hand sanitizer before entering.
酒精	jiǔ jīng	alcohol (for disinfecting)	我用酒精擦桌子。 wǒ yòng jiǔ jīng cā zhuō zi	I wipe the table with alcohol.
消毒	xiāo dú	to disinfect	剪指甲剪之前先消毒。 jiǎn zhǐ jiǎ jiǎn zhī qián xiān xiāo dú	Disinfect nail clippers before using them.
衛生紙	wèi shēng zhǐ	toilet paper / tissue paper	廁所裡有衛生紙嗎？ cè suǒ lǐ yǒu wèi shēng zhǐ ma	Is there toilet paper in the bathroom?
紙巾	zhǐ jīn	tissue / napkin	可以給我一張紙巾嗎？ kě yǐ gěi wǒ yì zhāng zhǐ jīn ma	Can you give me a tissue?
馬桶	mǎ tǒng	toilet	馬桶堵住了，好尷尬。 mǎ tǒng dǔ zhù le, hǎo gān gà	The toilet is clogged. Awkward.
沖馬桶	chōng mǎ tǒng	to flush the toilet	用完記得沖馬桶。 yòng wán jì de chōng mǎ tǒng	Remember to flush after using it.

Oral care

Teeth stuff (your future self approves)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
牙刷	yá shuā	toothbrush	我的牙刷放在杯子裡。 wǒ de yá shuā fàng zài bēi zi lǐ	My toothbrush is in the cup.
漱口	shù kǒu	to rinse your mouth	刷完牙要漱口。 shuā wán yá yào shù kǒu	Rinse your mouth after brushing.
漱口水	shù kǒu shuǐ	mouthwash	我晚上會用漱口水。 wǒ wǎn shàng huì yòng shù kǒu shuǐ	I use mouthwash at night.
牙線	yá xiàn	dental floss	卡牙縫的時候用牙線。 kǎ yá fèng de shí hòu yòng yá xiàn	Use floss when food gets stuck between teeth.
牙籤	yá qiān	toothpick	我不用牙籤，我用牙線。 wǒ bú yòng yá qiān, wǒ yòng yá xiàn	I don’t use toothpicks; I use floss.
口臭	kǒu chòu	bad breath	我怕口臭，所以會漱口。 wǒ pà kǒu chòu, suǒ yǐ huì shù kǒu	I worry about bad breath, so I rinse my mouth.
蛀牙	zhù yá	cavity	我不想再有蛀牙了。 wǒ bù xiǎng zài yǒu zhù yá le	I don’t want more cavities.

Hair care

Scalp peace & nice hair days

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
潤髮乳	rùn fà rǔ	conditioner	我洗完頭會用潤髮乳。 wǒ xǐ wán tóu huì yòng rùn fà rǔ	I use conditioner after washing my hair.
吹風機	chuī fēng jī	hair dryer	外面很冷，我先用吹風機。 wài miàn hěn lěng, wǒ xiān yòng chuī fēng jī	It’s cold outside, so I’ll use the hair dryer first.
梳子	shū zi	comb	你的梳子借我一下。 nǐ de shū zi jiè wǒ yí xià	Can I borrow your comb for a moment?
頭皮	tóu pí	scalp	我頭皮有點乾。 wǒ tóu pí yǒu diǎn gān	My scalp is a bit dry.
頭皮屑	tóu pí xiè	dandruff	這個洗髮精可以減少頭皮屑。 zhè ge xǐ fà jīng kě yǐ jiǎn shǎo tóu pí xiè	This shampoo can reduce dandruff.
掉髮	diào fà	hair loss / shedding	最近壓力大，有點掉髮。 zuì jìn yā lì dà, yǒu diǎn diào fà	I’ve been stressed lately and shedding some hair.

Face & skin

Skincare, but in Chinese

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
保濕	bǎo shī	to moisturize / moisturizing	冬天要做好保濕。 dōng tiān yào zuò hǎo bǎo shī	In winter, you should moisturize well.
乳液	rǔ yè	lotion	洗完澡擦乳液比較不乾。 xǐ wán zǎo cā rǔ yè bǐ jiào bù gān	Putting on lotion after a shower helps prevent dryness.
防曬乳	fáng shài rǔ	sunscreen	出門前記得擦防曬乳。 chū mén qián jì de cā fáng shài rǔ	Remember to apply sunscreen before going out.
面膜	miàn mó	face mask (skincare)	我一週敷兩次面膜。 wǒ yì zhōu fū liǎng cì miàn mó	I use a face mask twice a week.
痘痘	dòu dòu	pimple	我下巴又長痘痘了。 wǒ xià bā yòu zhǎng dòu dòu le	I got another pimple on my chin.
粉刺	fěn cì	blackhead/comedone	鼻子上的粉刺很煩。 bí zi shàng de fěn cì hěn fán	The blackheads on my nose are annoying.
敏感	mǐn gǎn	sensitive	我皮膚很敏感。 wǒ pí fū hěn mǐn gǎn	My skin is very sensitive.
過敏	guò mǐn	allergy / to be allergic	我對香精容易過敏。 wǒ duì xiāng jīng róng yì guò mǐn	I’m easily allergic to fragrance.
藥膏	yào gāo	ointment	被蚊子叮了，我擦藥膏。 bèi wén zi dīng le, wǒ cā yào gāo	I got bitten by a mosquito, so I apply ointment.

Deodorant & smell

Because you’re not trying to be a walking sauna

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
汗	hàn	sweat	我流很多汗。 wǒ liú hěn duō hàn	I’m sweating a lot.
體味	tǐ wèi	body odor	天氣熱的時候比較容易有體味。 tiān qì rè de shí hòu bǐ jiào róng yì yǒu tǐ wèi	It’s easier to get body odor when it’s hot.
止汗劑	zhǐ hàn jì	antiperspirant	夏天我會用止汗劑。 xià tiān wǒ huì yòng zhǐ hàn jì	I use antiperspirant in summer.
除臭劑	chú chòu jì	deodorant	我包包裡常備除臭劑。 wǒ bāo bāo lǐ cháng bèi chú chòu jì	I usually keep deodorant in my bag.
香水	xiāng shuǐ	perfume	我只噴一點香水。 wǒ zhǐ pēn yì diǎn xiāng shuǐ	I only spray a little perfume.

Grooming

Small tools, big confidence

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
刮鬍子	guā hú zi	to shave (beard)	我早上要刮鬍子。 wǒ zǎo shàng yào guā hú zi	I need to shave in the morning.
刮鬍刀	guā hú dāo	razor (for shaving)	我的刮鬍刀要換新的了。 wǒ de guā hú dāo yào huàn xīn de le	My razor needs to be replaced.
剪指甲	jiǎn zhǐ jiǎ	to trim nails	我週末會剪指甲。 wǒ zhōu mò huì jiǎn zhǐ jiǎ	I trim my nails on the weekend.
指甲剪	zhǐ jiǎ jiǎn	nail clippers	指甲剪在抽屜裡。 zhǐ jiǎ jiǎn zài chōu tì lǐ	The nail clippers are in the drawer.
棉花棒	mián huā bàng	cotton swab	我用棉花棒清理小地方。 wǒ yòng mián huā bàng qīng lǐ xiǎo dì fāng	I use cotton swabs to clean small areas.

Period care

Practical, normal, necessary

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
生理期	shēng lǐ qī	period (common phrase)	我生理期來了，肚子有點痛。 wǒ shēng lǐ qī lái le, dù zi yǒu diǎn tòng	My period started, and my stomach hurts a bit.
衛生棉	wèi shēng mián	sanitary pad	我包包裡有衛生棉。 wǒ bāo bāo lǐ yǒu wèi shēng mián	I have pads in my bag.
衛生棉條	wèi shēng mián tiáo	tampon	她習慣用衛生棉條。 tā xí guàn yòng wèi shēng mián tiáo	She’s used to using tampons.
經痛	jīng tòng	menstrual cramps	我有經痛，所以想休息一下。 wǒ yǒu jīng tòng, suǒ yǐ xiǎng xiū xí yí xià	I have cramps, so I want to rest for a bit.

Clothes & freshness

Hygiene isn’t just soap

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
換衣服	huàn yī fu	to change clothes	流汗之後最好換衣服。 liú hàn zhī hòu zuì hǎo huàn yī fu	After sweating, it’s best to change clothes.
內衣	nèi yī	underwear (top)	內衣要常常洗。 nèi yī yào cháng cháng xǐ	Underwear should be washed often.
內褲	nèi kù	underwear (bottom)	我帶了幾件內褲去旅行。 wǒ dài le jǐ jiàn nèi kù qù lǚ xíng	I brought a few pairs of underwear on the trip.
洗衣精	xǐ yī jīng	laundry detergent	這個洗衣精味道很清爽。 zhè ge xǐ yī jīng wèi dào hěn qīng shuǎng	This laundry detergent smells fresh.

Health hygiene

Germs happen. Vocabulary helps.

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
打噴嚏	dǎ pēn tì	to sneeze	我一直打噴嚏，可能過敏。 wǒ yì zhí dǎ pēn tì, kě néng guò mǐn	I keep sneezing; I might be allergic.
擤鼻涕	xǐng bí tì	to blow your nose	我去擤鼻涕，馬上回來。 wǒ qù xǐng bí tì, mǎ shàng huí lái	I’m going to blow my nose. I’ll be right back.
發燒	fā shāo	to have a fever	我好像發燒了。 wǒ hǎo xiàng fā shāo le	I think I have a fever.
體溫計	tǐ wēn jì	thermometer	你有體溫計嗎？我想量一下。 nǐ yǒu tǐ wēn jì ma, wǒ xiǎng liáng yí xià	Do you have a thermometer? I want to check.

Optional variants

Measure words & handy combos

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
一瓶洗髮精	yì píng xǐ fà jīng	a bottle of shampoo	我買了一瓶洗髮精。 wǒ mǎi le yì píng xǐ fà jīng	I bought a bottle of shampoo.
一條毛巾	yì tiáo máo jīn	a towel (measure word: 條)	請給我一條乾淨的毛巾。 qǐng gěi wǒ yì tiáo gān jìng de máo jīn	Please give me a clean towel.
一支牙刷	yì zhī yá shuā	a toothbrush (measure word: 支)	我需要買一支新的牙刷。 wǒ xū yào mǎi yì zhī xīn de yá shuā	I need to buy a new toothbrush.
一片面膜	yí piàn miàn mó	a sheet mask (measure word: 片)	今晚我想敷一片面膜。 jīn wǎn wǒ xiǎng fū yí piàn miàn mó	Tonight I want to use a sheet mask.
一包衛生紙	yì bāo wèi shēng zhǐ	a pack of tissues/toilet paper (measure word: 包)	我車上放著一包衛生紙。 wǒ chē shàng fàng zhe yì bāo wèi shēng zhǐ	I keep a pack of tissues in my car.

Yak Snark (final): If you learned just three words today—洗手, 刷牙, 洗澡—you’re already more prepared than some fully grown adults. Congratulations. Please continue being better.