How to Write 澡 (zǎo) — Meaning “Bath / To bathe”

Imagine you are in a bath (澡) and you splash water (氵) while making a "zow!" sound (like zǎo). The right side 喿 looks like three mouths on a tree—think of three people in a bath singing happily.

Start with the water radical (3 strokes: dot, dot, lift) on the left. Then write the right part 喿: first the three 口 (each 3 strokes) from top to bottom, then the 木 (4 strokes) below. A common mistake is making the 木 too large or the 口 uneven—keep them balanced and compact.

澡 has the water radical 氵 and the phonetic 喿, meaning "bath". 滕 (téng) has the meat radical 月 (not water) and a different right part, used in names or "ascend". 滴 (dī) also has water radical but its right side is 啇, meaning "drip"—it focuses on drops, not bathing.

澡 is most common in the word 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo), meaning to take a bath or shower. In traditional China, public 澡堂 (bathhouses) were social gathering spots, but today most people shower at home. You may also hear 泡澡 (pào zǎo) for soaking in a tub.

Common words containing 澡 include: 洗澡 (xǐ zǎo) — To take a bath or shower.; 澡盆 (zǎo pén) — Bathtub; 澡堂 (zǎo táng) — Bathhouse.