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A2 verb 8 min de lecture

擦桌子

cā zhuōzi
Exemples 擦桌子 en 30 secondes
Explication 擦桌子 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '擦桌子' (cā zhuōzi) is introduced as a basic daily activity. Learners focus on the literal meaning: 'cā' means to wipe, and 'zhuōzi' means table. At this stage, you should be able to identify the action in a picture and use it in very simple sentences like 'I wipe the table' (我擦桌子). You will learn that '擦' is a verb and '桌子' is the object. This is part of the basic vocabulary for home life and chores. You might also learn that '桌子' is the general word for table, and the 'zi' is a necessary suffix. The focus is on recognizing the characters and the basic 'Subject + Verb + Object' sentence structure. You will likely see this word in lessons about cleaning the house or helping parents. It is important to get the first tone of 'cā' correct early on to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words. You will also learn that a 'mābù' (rag) is the tool usually used for this action.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use '擦桌子' in more complex ways, such as adding time expressions or frequency. For example, 'I wipe the table every day' (我每天都擦桌子). You will also start using the 'ba' (把) construction, which is very common with cleaning verbs: '把桌子擦了' (wipe the table). You should be able to understand requests like 'Please wipe the table' (请擦一下桌子) and respond appropriately. At this level, you might also learn how to specify which table, using the measure word 'zhāng' (张), as in '这张桌子' (this table). You will also become familiar with basic resultative complements like '干净' (clean), allowing you to say '擦干净' (wipe clean). This level focuses on practical application in daily conversation, such as at home or in a restaurant setting. You should also be able to distinguish '擦' from other cleaning verbs like '洗' (wash) or '扫' (sweep).
At the B1 level, '擦桌子' is used within broader narratives about routines, responsibilities, and social interactions. You will use it with more advanced grammatical structures, such as duration complements: '他擦桌子擦了半个小时' (He wiped the table for half an hour). You will also learn to use it with modal verbs and in conditional sentences, like 'If you wipe the table, I will wash the dishes' (如果你擦桌子，我就洗碗). At this stage, you might encounter regional variations like '抹桌子' (mā zhuōzi) and understand the subtle difference in tone and usage. You will also be able to describe the manner of the action using adverbs like '仔细地' (carefully) or '马马虎虎地' (carelessly). B1 learners should be comfortable using the phrase in a variety of social contexts, such as volunteering or working in a part-time job where cleaning might be required. You will also start to see how cleaning actions are described in more formal or written Chinese.
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At the B2 level, '擦桌子' is treated as a known building block for more complex linguistic expressions. You might explore the nuance between '擦' (wiping), '抹' (smearing/wiping), and '揩' (a more formal word for wiping). You will use the phrase in more sophisticated sentence structures, such as using '擦桌子' as a subject or a complex object: '擦桌子是一项简单的家务' (Wiping the table is a simple chore). You will also be able to discuss the cultural implications of cleanliness and household roles in Chinese society using this vocabulary. B2 learners should be able to understand and use the phrase in idiomatic or metaphorical contexts if they arise in literature or media. You will also be able to use the resultative and potential complements with high accuracy, such as '擦得干净' (can be wiped clean) or '擦不干净' (cannot be wiped clean). Your ability to use the word in professional settings, such as describing workplace maintenance, will also be refined.
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At the C1 level, '擦桌子' is understood in its full linguistic and cultural context. You will recognize how the choice of this phrase versus more formal alternatives reflects the speaker's register and social background. You might encounter the phrase in classical or modern literature where it is used to set a scene or develop a character's personality (e.g., a character who obsessively wipes the table might be portrayed as anxious or meticulous). You will also be able to discuss the etymology of the character '擦', noting its components and historical development. C1 learners can use the phrase in complex rhetorical structures and understand subtle wordplay or puns involving the characters. You will also be familiar with how this action is depicted in different Chinese dialects and how the vocabulary changes accordingly. Your usage will be indistinguishable from a native speaker in terms of collocations and naturalness.
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At the C2 level, '擦桌子' is a simple element that can be woven into highly complex, abstract discussions about sociology, history, or philosophy. For example, you might analyze the '擦桌子' action in the context of gender roles in 20th-century Chinese households or its depiction in 'scar literature.' You have a complete grasp of all synonyms, antonyms, and related idiomatic expressions. You can use the phrase with perfect precision in any register, from the most colloquial street slang to the most formal academic prose. You understand the deep cultural significance of cleanliness in Confucian thought and how '擦桌子' might be seen as a form of 'cultivating the self.' At this level, the phrase is not just a vocabulary item but a cultural touchstone that you can manipulate and reference with ease in any conversation or written work.
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Exemples

擦桌子 en 30 secondes

  • 擦桌子 means 'to wipe the table,' a common daily chore in Chinese households and restaurants.
  • The phrase consists of the verb 擦 (to wipe) and the noun 桌子 (table).
  • It is often used with the '把' construction to emphasize cleaning the table thoroughly.
  • In social contexts, offering to wipe the table is seen as a helpful and polite gesture.

The phrase 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi) is a fundamental Chinese verb-object construction that translates directly to "to wipe the table." In the landscape of Chinese household chores and daily life, this action is more than just a cleaning task; it represents the basic maintenance of one's environment and the preparation for communal activities like dining or studying. The verb 擦 (cā) specifically implies the action of rubbing, wiping, or scrubbing with a cloth or brush to remove dirt, dust, or liquid. The noun 桌子 (zhuōzi) refers to any kind of table, whether it be a dining table, a desk, or a coffee table. Together, they form a common daily expression used in homes, restaurants, and schools across the Chinese-speaking world.

Daily Household Context
In a domestic setting, parents often instruct their children to 擦桌子 before dinner to ensure a hygienic eating surface. It is considered a basic life skill taught early in childhood. The process usually involves a 抹布 (mābù) or rag, and sometimes a cleaning spray.
Restaurant and Hospitality
In the service industry, you will frequently see waitstaff perform this action. If a table is sticky or has crumbs, a customer might politely ask, "请帮我擦一下桌子" (Please help me wipe the table). It is the hallmark of a clean and well-managed establishment.

妈妈让我吃完饭后把擦桌子的任务完成了。 (Mom asked me to finish the task of wiping the table after eating.)

Example of using the phrase in a family responsibility context.

The action of 擦桌子 is also culturally linked to the concept of 'giving face' or showing respect to guests. A host will almost always wipe down a table before a guest sits down, even if the table appears clean, as a symbolic gesture of hospitality and care. This ensures the guest feels welcomed and that the environment is pristine for their visit. In schools, students often take turns doing 值日 (zhírì) or duty, which includes cleaning the classroom and specifically wiping the teacher's desk and their own desks.

服务员正在忙着擦桌子，准备迎接下一批客人。 (The waiter is busy wiping the table, preparing to welcome the next group of guests.)

Metaphorical Use
While primarily literal, the act of cleaning can sometimes be used in literature to describe a character's state of mind—finding peace or order through repetitive, simple physical labor.

In summary, 擦桌子 is a versatile and essential phrase for anyone learning Chinese, as it covers a basic human activity found in every social stratum. Whether you are at home, at work, or dining out, you will encounter the need to use or understand this expression frequently.

Using 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi) correctly involves understanding the grammar of Verb-Object (VO) compounds in Mandarin. Because 擦 is the verb and 桌子 is the object, they can be separated or modified by various grammatical structures to provide more detail about the action.

The 'Ba' (把) Construction
The most common way to describe cleaning a specific table is using the 把 (bǎ) structure. This emphasizes the result of the action on the object. For example: 请把桌子擦干净 (Please wipe the table clean). Here, 干净 (clean) is the resultative complement.
Reduplication for Softening
In casual speech, verbs are often doubled to suggest a brief or light action. You can say 擦擦桌子 (wipe the table a bit) or 擦一擦桌子. This makes the tone more polite and less demanding.

他在聚会开始前认真地擦桌子。 (He conscientiously wiped the table before the party started.)

When adding duration or frequency, the verb 擦 is repeated. For instance, 他擦桌子擦了十分钟 (He wiped the table for ten minutes). This structure is essential for expressing how long an activity lasted. You can also add adverbs like 正在 (zhèngzài) to indicate the progressive tense: 我正在擦桌子呢 (I am currently wiping the table).

你能不能帮我擦一下桌子？上面有很多灰尘。 (Can you help me wipe the table? There is a lot of dust on it.)

Finally, consider the use of directional complements. 擦桌子 can be followed by 起来 (qǐlái) to indicate the start of the action: 他一看到脏就擦起桌子来 (As soon as he saw the dirt, he started wiping the table). This level of detail allows for nuanced descriptions of everyday actions.

You will encounter the phrase 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi) in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from intimate family settings to bustling public environments. Understanding these contexts helps in grasping the social nuances of the phrase.

In the Kitchen and Dining Room
This is the most frequent location. After every meal, someone usually says, "谁来擦桌子？" (Who is going to wipe the table?). It is a shared responsibility in many modern Chinese households. If you are a guest, offering to 擦桌子 after a meal is a very polite gesture that shows you are helpful and well-mannered.
Restaurants and Cafes
In a fast-food joint or a busy local eatery, you might hear a manager shouting to a staff member, "快去把那张桌子擦了！" (Go wipe that table quickly!). Conversely, if you sit at a table that hasn't been cleaned yet, you would say to the waiter, "麻烦擦一下桌子" (Please wipe the table).

在学校，同学们轮流擦桌子和扫地。 (In school, classmates take turns wiping the tables and sweeping the floor.)

In educational settings, especially in elementary and middle schools in China, students are responsible for the cleanliness of their own classrooms. During the cleaning hour, 擦桌子 is a standard part of the routine. Teachers might praise a student by saying, "桌子擦得很亮" (The table is wiped very brightly/cleanly).

新员工的第一项工作往往是帮老板擦桌子。 (A new employee's first task is often helping the boss wipe the desk.)

Lastly, in television dramas or movies, the act of 擦桌子 is often used as background action during a conversation to make the scene feel more grounded and realistic. It provides a natural way for characters to interact while talking about more serious topics.

While 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi) seems straightforward, English speakers often make several common errors when using this phrase, primarily due to direct translation or confusion with similar verbs.

Confusing '擦' (cā) with '洗' (xǐ)
In English, we sometimes say "wash the table." However, in Chinese, 洗桌子 sounds like you are taking the table to a hose or a sink and soaking it with water. Use 擦 for the act of wiping with a damp cloth, which is the standard way to clean furniture.
Incorrect Measure Words
When specifying a table, learners often forget to use the correct measure word 张 (zhāng). Instead of saying "擦这个桌子," it is more natural to say "擦这张桌子." 张 is used for flat surfaces.

错误：我用洗发水洗桌子。 (Wrong: I wash the table with shampoo.)
正确：我用抹布擦桌子。 (Correct: I wipe the table with a rag.)

Another common mistake is the pronunciation of 擦 (cā). It is a first tone (high level), but learners often accidentally use the second or fourth tone. Also, the 'c' sound in Pinyin is like the 'ts' in "cats," not the 'k' sound in "cat." If you mispronounce it, it might sound like chā (to insert) or other unrelated words.

不要只擦桌子的一角，要把整张桌子都擦了。 (Don't just wipe one corner of the table; wipe the whole table.)

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of the resultative complement. They might say "擦桌子干净" which is incorrect. The correct order is "把桌子擦干净" or "擦干净桌子." The complement must follow the verb directly or be part of a 'ba' construction.

While 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi) is the standard term, there are several synonyms and related terms that carry different nuances or are used in different regions. Knowing these will make your Chinese sound more natural and varied.

抹桌子 (mā zhuōzi)
In Northern China, especially Beijing, you will often hear 抹 (mā) instead of 擦 (cā). 抹桌子 sounds more colloquial and local. Note that 抹 is pronounced in the first tone here, though it has other pronunciations in different contexts.
清理 (qīnglǐ)
清理 means "to clear up" or "to tidy up." While 擦桌子 refers specifically to the act of wiping, 清理桌子 implies removing items from the table, organizing them, and then perhaps wiping it down. It is a broader term for cleaning the table area.

与其说是擦桌子，不如说是他在打扫整个房间。 (Rather than saying he is wiping the table, it's better to say he is cleaning the whole room.)

Another alternative is 打扫 (dǎsǎo), which means "to sweep" or "to clean" in a general sense. You would use 打扫 for a whole room, but you wouldn't usually say 打扫桌子 unless the table was covered in a lot of debris like sawdust or heavy dirt. For general dust or spills, 擦 is the correct choice.

请帮我收拾一下桌子，我们要开会了。 (Please help me tidy up the table; we are about to have a meeting.)

Finally, 收拾 (shōushi) is a very common word meaning "to pack up" or "to tidy." If a table is covered in books and papers, you would ask someone to 收拾桌子 before you 擦桌子. The sequence is usually: clear the items (收拾), then wipe the surface (擦).

Guide de prononciation

UK /tsʰá tʂwó.tsɨ/
US /tsʰá tʂwó.tsɪ/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'cā', with 'zhuō' receiving secondary stress. 'zi' is unstressed.
Rime avec
cā rhymes with: bā (eight), fā (send), tā (he/it) zhuō rhymes with: duō (many), luō (talkative), guō (pot)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'c' as 'k' (like English 'cat').
  • Pronouncing 'c' as 'ch' (like English 'chair').
  • Failing to use the first tone for 'cā' and 'zhuō'.
  • Making the 'zi' too long or giving it a full tone.
  • Forgetting the aspiration on the 'c' sound.
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Exemples par niveau

1

我擦桌子。

I wipe the table.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

2

他在擦桌子。

He is wiping the table.

Using '在' to indicate ongoing action.

3

请擦桌子。

Please wipe the table.

Imperative sentence with '请'.

4

桌子不干净，擦一下。

The table isn't clean, wipe it a bit.

Using '一下' to indicate a brief action.

5

妹妹会擦桌子。

Little sister can wipe the table.

Using '会' to express ability.

6

这是擦桌子的布。

This is the cloth for wiping the table.

Using '的' as a possessive/attributive marker.

7

爸爸每天擦桌子。

Dad wipes the table every day.

Adding a time frequency '每天'.

8

我不喜欢擦桌子。

I don't like wiping the table.

Negative sentence with '不'.

1

吃完饭后，我们要擦桌子。

After eating, we need to wipe the table.

Using '完' as a completion complement.

2

请把这张桌子擦干净。

Please wipe this table clean.

Standard '把' construction with a resultative complement.

3

你会擦桌子吗？

Do you know how to wipe the table?

Question form using '吗'.

4

他擦桌子擦得很认真。

He wipes the table very conscientiously.

Verb repetition with the structural particle '得'.

5

我要去擦一下桌子上的灰。

I am going to wipe the dust off the table.

Specifying what is being wiped (the dust).

6

别忘了擦桌子。

Don't forget to wipe the table.

Negative imperative with '别'.

7

谁把桌子擦了？真干净！

Who wiped the table? It's so clean!

Using '了' to indicate a completed action.

8

你可以帮我擦桌子吗？

Can you help me wipe the table?

Polite request with '帮' and '可以'.

1

如果你有时间，就帮我擦擦桌子吧。

If you have time, just help me wipe the table.

Conditional '如果...就...' and verb reduplication '擦擦'.

2

他一边擦桌子，一边听音乐。

He wipes the table while listening to music.

Simultaneous actions with '一边...一边...'.

3

桌子被他擦得亮晶晶的。

The table was wiped sparkling clean by him.

Passive '被' construction with a descriptive complement.

4

虽然我不爱做家务，但我还是擦了桌子。

Although I don't love housework, I still wiped the table.

Concessive '虽然...但...' structure.

5

在客人来之前，一定要把桌子擦一遍。

Before the guests arrive, you must wipe the table once.

Using '一遍' as a frequency complement.

6

擦桌子这种小事，我自己来就行。

Wiping the table is a small matter; I can do it myself.

Using '这种' to categorize the activity.

7

他竟然忘了擦桌子就走了。

He actually left without wiping the table.

Using '竟然' to express surprise.

8

这块抹布是专门用来擦桌子的。

This rag is specifically used for wiping the table.

Using '用来...的' to describe purpose.

1

除非你把桌子擦干净，否则不能出去玩。

Unless you wipe the table clean, you can't go out to play.

Conditional '除非...否则...' structure.

2

他不仅擦了桌子，还把整个厨房都打扫了。

He not only wiped the table but also cleaned the entire kitchen.

Progressive '不仅...还...' structure.

3

擦桌子虽然简单，但也能体现一个人的修养。

Although wiping the table is simple, it can reflect a person's character.

Abstract discussion using '体现' and '修养'.

4

即使桌子看起来很干净，也要定期擦一擦。

Even if the table looks clean, it should be wiped regularly.

Concessive '即使...也...' structure.

5

由于他没擦桌子，桌面上留下了一圈水渍。

Because he didn't wipe the table, a water ring was left on the surface.

Causal '由于' structure.

6

他习惯于每天早晨先擦桌子，再开始工作。

He is used to wiping the table first every morning before starting work.

Using '习惯于' to describe a habit.

7

这张桌子太旧了，怎么擦也擦不干净。

This table is too old; no matter how you wipe it, it won't get clean.

Potential complement '擦不干净'.

8

服务员擦桌子的动作非常熟练。

The waiter's table-wiping movements are very skilled.

Using '动作' (movement) as the subject.

1

在繁琐的家务中，他唯独对擦桌子情有独钟。

Among the tedious chores, he has a special fondness for wiping the table.

Using advanced vocabulary like '繁琐' and '情有独钟'.

2

她一边擦桌子，一边陷入了对往事的回忆。

While wiping the table, she fell into a reminiscence of the past.

Literary structure '陷入...的回忆'.

3

擦桌子这种重复性的劳动有时能缓解压力。

Repetitive labor like wiping the table can sometimes relieve stress.

Using '重复性' and '缓解压力'.

4

他仔细地擦着桌子，仿佛在雕刻一件艺术品。

He wiped the table carefully, as if carving a piece of art.

Simile using '仿佛'.

5

即便只是擦桌子，他也力求做到完美。

Even if it's just wiping the table, he strives for perfection.

Using '力求' to express striving for something.

6

擦桌子的水渍还没干，他就急着铺上了桌布。

Before the water marks from wiping the table were dry, he hurriedly spread the tablecloth.

Temporal clause with '还没...就...'.

7

他那双常年擦桌子的手，布满了厚厚的老茧。

His hands, which had wiped tables for years, were covered in thick calluses.

Descriptive relative clause.

8

与其说他在擦桌子，不如说他在借此整理思绪。

Rather than saying he is wiping the table, it's more like he is using it to organize his thoughts.

Comparative structure '与其说...不如说...'.

1

擦桌子这一看似平庸的举动，在禅宗看来亦是一种修行。

The seemingly mundane act of wiping the table is seen as a form of spiritual practice in Zen Buddhism.

Formal philosophical discussion.

2

他机械地重复着擦桌子的动作，灵魂似乎早已出窍。

He mechanically repeated the action of wiping the table, his soul seemingly long gone.

Advanced literary imagery.

3

在那个动荡的年代，擦桌子成了她维持生活尊严的最后防线。

In those turbulent times, wiping the table became her last line of defense in maintaining the dignity of life.

Metaphorical use in a historical context.

4

他通过擦桌子来宣泄内心的愤懑，动作粗鲁而有力。

He vented his inner resentment through wiping the table, his movements rough and forceful.

Psychological description.

5

擦桌子的频率与她内心的焦虑程度成正比。

The frequency of her table-wiping was directly proportional to the degree of her inner anxiety.

Scientific/mathematical metaphor.

6

即便是在最简陋的草房里，她也会把桌子擦得一尘不染。

Even in the simplest thatched hut, she would wipe the table until it was spotless.

Using the idiom '一尘不染'.

7

擦桌子时的那份静谧，是他忙碌生活中难得的慰藉。

The tranquility while wiping the table was a rare consolation in his busy life.

Abstract noun usage.

8

他在这擦桌子的琐碎中，悟出了人生的大道理。

From the triviality of wiping the table, he realized a great truth about life.

Philosophical realization structure.

Collocations courantes

用抹布擦桌子
把桌子擦干净
仔细擦桌子
天天擦桌子
帮我擦桌子
擦干桌子
正在擦桌子
轮流擦桌子
擦办公桌
擦餐桌

Phrases Courantes

擦一下桌子

— Wipe the table briefly or lightly. Often used as a polite request.

麻烦你擦一下桌子。

擦得干净

— To wipe clean (potential or resultative).

这块布擦得干净吗？

擦不干净

— Cannot be wiped clean.

这个污渍怎么也擦不干净。

擦擦桌子

— Wipe the table (casual/reduplicated).

你去擦擦桌子吧。

把桌子擦了

— Wipe the table (completed action).

我已经把桌子擦了。

擦亮桌子

— Wipe the table until it shines.

他把桌子擦亮了。

急着擦桌子

— In a hurry to wipe the table.

他急着擦桌子去开会。

负责擦桌子

— Responsible for wiping the table.

今天轮到我负责擦桌子。

顺手擦桌子

— Wipe the table conveniently while doing something else.

他进屋时顺手擦了下桌子。

重新擦桌子

— Re-wipe the table.

没擦干净，请重新擦桌子。

Expressions idiomatiques

"一尘不染"

— Spotless; not a speck of dust. Often used to describe the result of wiping a table.

他把桌子擦得一尘不染。

Literary
"窗明几净"

— Bright windows and clean tables. Describes a very clean and tidy room.

书房被收拾得窗明几净。

Literary
"勤勤恳恳"

— Diligent and conscientious. Often used to describe someone who wipes tables carefully.

他勤勤恳恳地擦着桌子。

Neutral
"马马虎虎"

— Careless; perfunctory. Used to describe a poor job of wiping the table.

他擦桌子总是马马虎虎的。

Informal
"手脚麻利"

— Quick and efficient. Used for someone who wipes tables very fast.

服务员擦桌子手脚非常麻利。

Informal
"焕然一新"

— To look completely new. Describes the table after a good cleaning.

擦完之后，旧桌子焕然一新。

Literary
"面面俱到"

— Attending to every detail. Used for wiping every single part of the table.

他擦桌子真是面面俱到。

Neutral
"一丝不苟"

— Not one thread loose; meticulous. Used for very careful cleaning.

他擦桌子的态度一丝不苟。

Formal
"任劳任怨"

— To bear hardship and blame without complaint. Used for someone who cleans without grumbling.

他总是任劳任怨地擦桌子扫地。

Commendatory
"有条不紊"

— Regular and thorough; organized. Used for a systematic cleaning process.

他有条不紊地擦着每一张桌子。

Formal

Famille de mots

Noms

抹布 (mābù) - cleaning rag
清洁剂 (qīngjiéjì) - cleaning agent
灰尘 (huīchén) - dust

Verbes

擦 (cā) - to wipe/rub
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