洗牌
xǐpái
To shuffle is to say 洗牌 (xǐpái) in Mandarin.
If you want to say 'to stir' or 'to mix' a substance, you should use the term 搅拌 instead.
Meaning: to put in a random order (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 洗 (xǐ), meaning 'to wash' and 牌 (pái), meaning 'cards'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can indicate that the action of shuffling is completed by adding the particle 了 after the phrase, resulting in 洗牌了 (shuffled or has been shuffled).
How do you pronounce it?
xǐpái
Did you know?
- While 洗 means 'to wash', in the context of 洗牌, it refers to the act of cleaning the deck of any predictable order. This 'washing' metaphor is also used in the phrase 洗脑 for 'brainwashing'.
- In Chinese business and political slang, 洗牌 is used to describe a 'reshuffle' of power or a complete reorganization of an industry.
- When using the phrase in a digital context, such as in a music app, you might see 'shuffle mode' translated using variations of 洗牌, treating the digital playlist like a physical deck of cards.
Examples in context
- 请仔细洗牌。Please shuffle the cards carefully.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to shuffle the cards carefully using 洗牌.Tatoeba #465004 by fucongcong, translation #36910 by CK
- 请帮我洗牌。Please help me shuffle the cards.
- 帮我洗洗牌。Help me shuffle the cards.
- 洗牌以后再发。Xǐpái yǐhòu zài fā.Deal after shuffling the cards.
- 你可以帮我洗牌吗？Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ xǐpái ma?Can you help me shuffle the cards?
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a card game at a cafe.
- 俊杰 Junjie准备好开始玩了吗？Zhǔnbèi hǎo kāishǐ wán le ma?Are you ready to start playing?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen准备好了，你先洗牌吧。Zhǔnbèi hǎo le, nǐ xiān xǐpái ba.I'm ready, you shuffle the cards first.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我这就洗牌。Hǎo de, wǒ zhè jiù xǐpái.Okay, I will shuffle them now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen慢慢来，不用着急。Mànmàn lái, bùyòng zhāojí.Take your time, no need to rush.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shuffle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
