When you want to talk about cleaning windows in Chinese, you use the verb 擦窗户 (cā chuāng hu).
擦 (cā) means to wipe or to rub, and 窗户 (chuāng hu) means window.
So, literally, it means "wipe windows."
It's a straightforward and practical phrase for a common household chore.
When you want to talk about cleaning windows in Chinese, you use the verb 擦窗户 (cā chuānghu). It’s a very direct phrase. The word 擦 (cā) means to wipe, rub, or clean, and 窗户 (chuānghu) means window.
So, literally, it means “wipe windows.” You can use it in a simple sentence like “我需要擦窗户” (Wǒ xūyào cā chuānghu), which means “I need to clean the windows.” It's a common everyday phrase, so it’s good to know.
§ What Does 擦窗户 Mean?
- Chinese Word
- 擦窗户 (cā chuāng hu)
- Part of Speech
- Verb
- English Definition
- To clean windows; to wipe windows.
This is a very practical phrase! When you need to talk about cleaning windows, whether it's at home, at work, or even if you hear about it on the news, 擦窗户 is the go-to phrase. It literally breaks down to 'wipe' (擦) and 'window' (窗户). Simple, right?
§ Examples in Context
Let's see how you'd actually use 擦窗户 in real conversations.
妈妈让我在周末擦窗户。
My mom asked me to clean the windows on the weekend. (This is a common household chore.)
清洁工每天都会擦窗户，让办公室保持干净。
The cleaner wipes the windows every day to keep the office clean. (You might hear this in a work setting.)
新闻报道说，消防员正在高楼上擦窗户，准备进行清洗工作。
The news reported that firefighters are cleaning windows on a tall building, preparing for cleaning work. (Less common, but you could hear it on the news if there's a special event or safety concern.)
§ Where You'll Hear 擦窗户
This phrase is primarily used in everyday conversations related to chores and cleaning. Here's a breakdown of common scenarios:
At Home: This is probably the most common place. You'll hear family members talking about doing chores, assigning tasks, or complaining about dirty windows.
我们应该什么时候擦窗户？它们太脏了。
When should we clean the windows? They're too dirty.
At Work: If you work in an office or a place that requires regular cleaning, you might hear this from cleaning staff or facility managers. It's about maintaining a clean environment.
请工人来擦窗户，把外面的玻璃弄干净。
Ask the workers to clean the windows, get the outside glass clean.
In News/Public Information: While less frequent, you might encounter 擦窗户 in news reports about large-scale cleaning projects, maintenance of public buildings, or even safety briefings if window cleaning involves special equipment or risks.
高空作业人员正在为高楼擦窗户。
High-altitude workers are cleaning windows for the tall building.
Understanding common, everyday phrases like 擦窗户 is key to sounding more natural in Chinese. Don't underestimate the power of these basic verbs in building your vocabulary for daily life!
حقيقة ممتعة
The character '擦' (cā) is formed with the radical '扌' (shǒu), meaning 'hand,' indicating an action performed with the hand. This is common in Chinese characters related to manual actions.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
妈妈，你在擦窗户吗？
Mom, are you cleaning the windows?
我喜欢擦窗户。
I like to clean windows.
他每天都擦窗户。
He cleans the windows every day.
小狗不能擦窗户。
The puppy cannot clean the windows.
我们一起擦窗户。
Let's clean the windows together.
我的窗户很脏，我要擦窗户。
My windows are dirty, I need to clean them.
姐姐会擦窗户。
Older sister can clean windows.
你什么时候擦窗户？
When do you clean the windows?
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Imagine you're so excited to 'clean windows' that you want to 'caress' them, but you actually 'caw' (cā) at them because you're tired. The 'chuang' (窗) sounds like 'shooing away' dust, and 'hu' (户) is like saying 'who' cleaned them so poorly before!
ربط بصري
Picture a person vigorously scrubbing a window. The '擦' (cā) character looks a bit like a hand wiping something. The '窗' (chuāng) part can be imagined as the frame of a window, and the '户' (hù) is like a door or opening.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to describe in Chinese what you see someone doing if they are cleaning windows. For example: '他在擦窗户' (Tā zài cā chuānghu - He is cleaning windows). Then, try to use it in a sentence about chores you do at home: '我今天需要擦窗户' (Wǒ jīntiān xūyào cā chuānghu - I need to clean the windows today).
أصل الكلمة
The term '擦窗户' (cā chuānghu) is a compound verb in Chinese. '擦' (cā) means 'to wipe' or 'to clean by rubbing.' '窗户' (chuānghu) means 'window.'
المعنى الأصلي: The original meaning of '擦窗户' directly translates to 'wipe windows.'
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic (Chinese)السياق الثقافي
In Chinese culture, cleaning, especially before major holidays like Chinese New Year, holds significant symbolic meaning. Cleaning windows, along with other household chores, is often seen as 'sweeping away the old to make way for the new,' symbolizing the removal of bad luck and welcoming good fortune for the coming year. It's a practical task with a deeper cultural resonance, signifying renewal and fresh beginnings.
اختبر نفسك 30 أسئلة
Listen to the sentence and understand who likes cleaning windows.
Listen to the sentence and understand when he cleans the windows.
Listen to the sentence and understand who is cleaning the windows.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢擦窗户。
Focus: 喜欢 (xǐ huān)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他今天擦窗户。
Focus: 今天 (jīn tiān)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
妈妈在擦窗户。
Focus: 妈妈 (mā ma)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
她喜欢在周末___。
The sentence is about what she likes to do on weekends. '擦窗户' (to clean windows) fits the context of a household chore someone might do.
我的房间很脏，我需要___。
The sentence states the room is dirty, implying a need for cleaning. '擦窗户' (to clean windows) is a type of cleaning activity.
外面下雨了，所以不能___。
Cleaning windows is typically an outdoor or semi-outdoor activity that would be affected by rain.
妈妈叫我帮忙___。
Mothers often ask for help with household chores. '擦窗户' (to clean windows) is a common chore.
___以后，窗户变得很干净。
The result is clean windows, which is directly linked to the action of '擦窗户' (to clean windows).
今天天气很好，适合___。
Good weather is often conducive to outdoor or household cleaning activities like '擦窗户' (to clean windows).
You want to clean the windows this weekend. How would you tell your friend in Chinese?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我打算这个周末擦窗户。
Your mother just finished cleaning the windows. How do you compliment her in Chinese?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
妈妈，你把窗户擦得很干净！
Your younger brother is playing instead of helping to clean the windows. Tell him to come and help.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
弟弟，快来帮忙擦窗户！
小明今天做了什么家务？
Read this passage:
小明今天在家帮忙做家务。他先洗了碗，然后又去擦窗户。窗户现在看起来很亮。
小明今天做了什么家务？
文章中明确提到小明先洗了碗，然后去擦窗户。
文章中明确提到小明先洗了碗，然后去擦窗户。
李阿姨为什么擦窗户？
Read this passage:
天气很好，阳光明媚。李阿姨决定今天把家里的窗户都擦一遍。她觉得擦完窗户后，房间会更亮。
李阿姨为什么擦窗户？
文章中说“她觉得擦完窗户后，房间会更亮”。
文章中说“她觉得擦完窗户后，房间会更亮”。
大卫周末喜欢做什么？
Read this passage:
周末的时候，大卫喜欢做一些家务。他通常会擦窗户，或者打扫房间。他认为保持家里干净很重要。
大卫周末喜欢做什么？
文章中提到“他通常会擦窗户，或者打扫房间”。
文章中提到“他通常会擦窗户，或者打扫房间”。
Listen for why Aunt Wang cleans windows despite the cold.
Pay attention to what she uses to clean the windows.
What do the neighbors say about Aunt Wang's windows?
Read this aloud:
她解释说，擦窗户不仅是体力活，更需要耐心和技巧。
Focus: 耐心
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你多久擦一次窗户？
Focus: 多久
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我刚把窗户擦干净，现在屋里亮多了。
Focus: 亮多了
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes someone being extra careful when cleaning windows to avoid water marks. The order flows logically from subject to action to reason.
This sentence outlines a division of labor where one person cleans windows and the other sweeps the floor. The structure clearly indicates who does what.
This sentence emphasizes persistence in cleaning windows despite cold weather, resulting in spotless windows. The adverbs and resultative complement are key to the C1 level.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
