清除

When you use the word 清除, you are talking about the act of making a space or a situation clean by removing things that shouldn't be there. Think of it as a thorough deep cleaning or a complete removal process.

It is a versatile word used for both physical objects and abstract ideas. Whether you are clearing debris from a construction site or removing a virus from your computer, 清除 implies a sense of finality and effectiveness.

The word 清除 combines two characters: 清 (clear/pure) and 除 (eliminate/remove). Historically, 清 refers to the clarity of water, while 除 relates to the act of removing steps or obstacles.

Over centuries, this combination evolved from describing physical cleaning to being applied in military, administrative, and digital contexts. It reflects the human desire to maintain order and purity in our environments.

You will often see 清除 used in technical and formal settings. Common pairings include 清除垃圾 (clearing trash) and 清除障碍 (removing obstacles).

In casual conversation, you might use it when talking about digital hygiene, such as clearing browser cookies or cache. It is a strong, decisive verb that signals that the object being removed is no longer wanted.

1. 清除异己: To purge political opponents.

2. 清除积弊: To root out long-standing abuses.

3. 清除隐患: To eliminate hidden dangers.

4. 清除记忆: To wipe one's memory.

5. 清除障碍: To pave the way by removing blocks.

As a verb, 清除 is transitive and usually followed by a direct object. It is often used in the structure: Subject + 清除 + Object.

The pronunciation is qīng chú. The first syllable is a high-level tone, and the second is a rising tone. It rhymes with words like tú (path) or hú (lake) in terms of the second character's ending.