A2 Collocation Neutral 4 min read

讲卫生

jiang weisheng

To be hygienic

Literally: {"\u8bb2":"speak\/pay attention to","\u536b\u751f":"hygiene\/sanitation"}

In 15 Seconds

  • Actively practice cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Encourages healthy habits for self and others.
  • Used for personal care and public spaces.
  • Neutral tone, suitable for most situations.

Meaning

This phrase is all about being clean and practicing good hygiene. It's not just about washing your hands, but a general attitude towards keeping yourself and your surroundings tidy. Think of it as a friendly nudge to be a bit more mindful of cleanliness, whether you're at home or out in public. It carries a positive, responsible vibe, encouraging good habits for health and social harmony.

Key Examples

3 of 12
1

Texting a friend about a new restaurant

这家新开的餐厅看起来不错,而且听说他们很讲卫生。

This newly opened restaurant looks good, and I heard they are very hygienic.

2

Parent reminding child before school

出门前记得洗手,一定要讲卫生哦!

Remember to wash your hands before going out, you must be hygienic!

3

Commenting on a public space

这个公园打扫得很干净,大家都挺讲卫生的。

This park is cleaned very well, everyone here is quite hygienic.

🌍

Cultural Background

The concept of `卫生` (hygiene/sanitation) gained significant importance in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the introduction of Western public health concepts. Campaigns promoting hygiene became crucial for disease prevention in densely populated areas. The phrase `讲卫生` emerged as a simple, direct way to encourage widespread adoption of these new health practices, making it a cornerstone of public health education and social etiquette.

💡

The 'Speak' of Hygiene

The character `讲` (jiǎng) means 'to speak' or 'to talk about'. When paired with `卫生`, it implies actively practicing and advocating for hygiene, not just passively being clean. Think of it as 'talking the talk and walking the walk' of cleanliness!

⚠️

Don't Confuse with Health

A common beginner mistake is using `讲健康` (jiǎng jiànkāng - speak health) instead of `讲卫生`. While related, `讲卫生` is specifically about the *actions* of being clean and sanitary, crucial for maintaining health.

In 15 Seconds

  • Actively practice cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Encourages healthy habits for self and others.
  • Used for personal care and public spaces.
  • Neutral tone, suitable for most situations.

What It Means

This phrase, 讲卫生 (jiǎng wèishēng), is your go-to for talking about being hygienic. It means actively practicing good cleanliness habits. It's about more than just being tidy; it's about keeping things sanitary. This includes personal cleanliness and maintaining a clean environment. It’s a fundamental concept for health and social living. It’s like saying, "Let's be clean people!"

How To Use It

You use 讲卫生 to encourage or describe hygienic behavior. It's a versatile phrase you can use in many situations. You can tell someone to 讲卫生, or comment that someone *is* 讲卫生. It’s often used in contexts related to health, public spaces, and personal habits. Think of it as a positive action or a state of being. It’s a common collocation, meaning these words just naturally stick together in Chinese.

Real-Life Examples

Imagine you're at a public park. You see someone littering. You might think, "They should really 讲卫生 here." Or, your mom tells you before dinner, "Remember to wash your hands, you need to 讲卫生." Your friend might praise a restaurant, saying, "This place is great, they really 讲卫生." It’s about everyday actions and observations. It’s the kind of phrase you hear in public health announcements too. It’s a gentle reminder for everyone to do their part.

When To Use It

Use 讲卫生 when you want to talk about general cleanliness and hygiene practices. This applies to personal habits like washing hands or showering. It also applies to keeping shared spaces clean, like your office desk or a public restroom. It’s perfect for reminding kids (or adults!) to be tidy. You can use it to praise someone for being clean. It’s also common in discussions about health and disease prevention. Think of it as promoting a healthy lifestyle.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use 讲卫生 for extreme cleanliness obsessions. It’s not for situations requiring medical-grade sterilization. It’s also not typically used for purely aesthetic tidiness, like perfectly arranging furniture. That’s more about 整洁 (zhěngjié - neatness). If you're talking about being neat in a fashion sense, this phrase won't fit. It focuses on health and sanitation, not just looking good. It's not a compliment for a spotless car, unless maybe you're talking about the interior cleanliness.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes try to swap out 卫生 with words that sound similar but don't fit. For example, using 讲干净 (jiǎng gānjìng - speak clean) is understandable but less standard than 讲卫生. 干净 is more about general 'cleanliness' rather than 'sanitation'. Using 讲健康 (jiǎng jiànkāng - speak health) is about promoting health, not the act of being hygienic itself. The specific pairing of and 卫生 is key here. It’s like trying to say 'make a sound' instead of 'sing a song'.

讲健康 讲卫生 (When talking about hygiene)
讲干净 讲卫生 (For formal hygiene discussions)

做卫生 (zuò wèishēng - do hygiene) is sometimes heard, but 讲卫生 is more about the *practice* and *awareness*.

Similar Expressions

  • 爱干净 (ài gānjìng): To love being clean. This is more about personality – someone who is naturally neat.
  • 保持清洁 (bǎochí qīngjié): To maintain cleanliness. This is a bit more formal and emphasizes the ongoing effort.
  • 注意卫生 (zhùyì wèishēng): To pay attention to hygiene. Very similar to 讲卫生, often used in instructions.
  • 干净 (gānjìng): Clean (adjective). This describes the state of being clean.
  • 整洁 (zhěngjié): Neat and tidy. Focuses more on orderliness and appearance.

Common Variations

Sometimes you'll hear 注意卫生 (zhùyì wèishēng), which means "pay attention to hygiene." It's very close in meaning and usage. You might also see it in written contexts like signs: "请 讲卫生" (Please be hygienic). In very casual chat, people might just say 干净点 (gānjìng diǎn - be cleaner). But 讲卫生 is the standard, widely understood term.

Memory Trick

💡

Imagine a Wèi Shēng (卫生) superhero! This hero Jiǎng (讲) - *jumps* into action to fight germs. They always practice good hygiene, keeping cities clean. Every time you hear 讲卫生, picture this superhero making the world a cleaner, healthier place. It's about actively promoting cleanliness, not just being passively clean.

Quick FAQ

  • What does 讲卫生 literally mean? It translates to "speak hygiene" or "pay attention to sanitation."
  • Is it formal or informal? It's quite neutral, usable in most everyday situations.
  • When should I use it? When talking about personal cleanliness or keeping places sanitary.
  • What's a common mistake? Using 讲健康 (speak health) instead, which misses the hygiene focus.
  • Can it be used for a place? Yes, you can say a restaurant or a public toilet 讲卫生 if it's clean and sanitary.

Usage Notes

This phrase is very common and generally neutral in formality. It emphasizes the active practice and awareness of hygiene, often for health reasons. Avoid using it for general tidiness or aesthetic neatness; focus on sanitation and health.

💡

The 'Speak' of Hygiene

The character `讲` (jiǎng) means 'to speak' or 'to talk about'. When paired with `卫生`, it implies actively practicing and advocating for hygiene, not just passively being clean. Think of it as 'talking the talk and walking the walk' of cleanliness!

⚠️

Don't Confuse with Health

A common beginner mistake is using `讲健康` (jiǎng jiànkāng - speak health) instead of `讲卫生`. While related, `讲卫生` is specifically about the *actions* of being clean and sanitary, crucial for maintaining health.

💬

A Foundation of Social Harmony

In Chinese culture, maintaining cleanliness (`讲卫生`) isn't just personal; it's seen as a contribution to the community's well-being. It reflects respect for others and contributes to social order, especially in densely populated areas.

💡

Beyond Just 'Clean'

While `干净` (gānjìng) means 'clean', `卫生` (wèishēng) specifically implies sanitation and health standards. So, `讲卫生` is about being *sanitary* and *healthy*, not just neat or tidy.

Examples

12
#1 Texting a friend about a new restaurant

这家新开的餐厅看起来不错,而且听说他们很讲卫生。

This newly opened restaurant looks good, and I heard they are very hygienic.

Here, `讲卫生` describes the restaurant's commitment to cleanliness, a key factor for diners.

#2 Parent reminding child before school

出门前记得洗手,一定要讲卫生哦!

Remember to wash your hands before going out, you must be hygienic!

A direct instruction emphasizing the importance of hygiene for health.

#3 Commenting on a public space

这个公园打扫得很干净,大家都挺讲卫生的。

This park is cleaned very well, everyone here is quite hygienic.

Describes the general behavior of people in the park contributing to its cleanliness.

#4 Instagram caption for a healthy lifestyle post

保持健康生活方式的第一步:从讲卫生开始! #健康生活 #保持清洁

The first step to maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Start with being hygienic! #HealthyLiving #StayClean

Frames hygiene as a fundamental aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

#5 TikTok comment on a cleaning hack video

哇,这个清洁方法太棒了!学到了,以后要多讲卫生。

Wow, this cleaning method is amazing! Learned it, will practice more hygiene from now on.

Expresses appreciation and commitment to better hygiene practices after watching a tutorial.

#6 Job interview question about personal habits

在工作中,我非常注重个人卫生,也懂得在团队环境中讲卫生。

In my work, I pay great attention to personal hygiene and understand the importance of being hygienic in a team environment.

Used in a professional context to convey responsibility and consideration for workplace cleanliness.

#7 Doctor advising a patient

为了您的健康,请务必注意日常饮食和个人讲卫生。

For your health, please be sure to pay attention to your daily diet and personal hygiene.

A formal recommendation from a medical professional emphasizing hygiene for patient's well-being.

Learner mistake: Confusing hygiene with health Common Mistake

✗ 我妈妈总是说我要讲健康。 → ✓ 我妈妈总是说我要讲卫生。

✗ My mom always says I should 'speak health'. → ✓ My mom always says I should 'be hygienic'.

Incorrectly uses 'speak health' instead of the correct phrase for hygiene.

Learner mistake: Using a less common alternative Common Mistake

✗ 他讲干净,所以他经常洗手。 → ✓ 他讲卫生,所以他经常洗手。

✗ He 'speaks clean', so he washes his hands often. → ✓ He is hygienic, so he washes his hands often.

Uses 'speak clean' which is less idiomatic than 'be hygienic' in this context.

#10 Humorous reminder among friends

哥们儿,吃烧烤呢,别把油弄到衣服上,咱还得讲卫生!

Bro, we're eating BBQ, don't get grease on your clothes, we still need to be hygienic!

A lighthearted reminder to maintain cleanliness even during a messy activity.

#11 Expressing concern about public facilities

这个公共厕所看起来不太干净,真希望管理人员能多讲卫生。

This public restroom doesn't look very clean, I really hope the management pays more attention to hygiene.

Expresses a desire for better sanitation standards in a public facility.

#12 Vlogger talking about travel tips

去东南亚旅行,一定要注意饮用水安全,并且在外面要多讲卫生。

When traveling to Southeast Asia, you must pay attention to drinking water safety and be more hygienic when you're out.

Practical advice for travelers, linking hygiene to avoiding illness abroad.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

The phrase is `讲卫生`, meaning to practice hygiene.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.

Which sentence correctly expresses the idea of being hygienic?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我们需要讲卫生。

`讲卫生` is the standard phrase for practicing hygiene. The other options use incorrect or less suitable phrases.

Find and fix the error in the sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

The phrase `讲卫生` specifically refers to practicing hygiene, while `讲健康` means to advocate for or discuss health in general.

Translate the sentence into Chinese.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

This translation uses `讲卫生` to convey the need for hygiene in a specific context.

Fill in the blank.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 卫生

The context of preventing diseases points directly to `卫生` (hygiene/sanitation).

Choose the sentence that best fits the context.

Which sentence is most appropriate for a sign in a public restroom?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 请讲卫生。

`请讲卫生` is the standard and most direct way to ask people to maintain hygiene in public facilities.

Identify and correct the mistake.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

While `干净` means 'clean', `讲卫生` specifically refers to practicing hygiene, which is more appropriate for a chef's professional standards. Adding '干净整洁' clarifies the result.

Put the words in the correct order to form a meaningful sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

This sentence means 'We practice public hygiene,' emphasizing collective responsibility.

Translate the following sentence into Chinese.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

This advanced translation uses `讲卫生` in a formal, explanatory context.

Choose the sentence that uses `讲卫生` most naturally.

Which sentence demonstrates the most natural usage of `讲卫生`?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 孩子们需要学习讲卫生。

While all options are grammatically plausible, 'Children need to learn to practice hygiene' feels like the most common and natural scenario for using this phrase.

Match the Chinese phrase with its closest English meaning in this context.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

This exercise helps differentiate `讲卫生` from similar expressions based on nuance.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate term.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 讲卫生

The context of an epidemic strongly emphasizes the importance of `讲卫生` (practicing hygiene) for public health.

🎉 Score: /12

Visual Learning Aids

Formality Spectrum of 讲卫生

Very Informal

Casual reminders among close friends, maybe slightly joking.

嘿,吃完东西擦擦嘴,讲卫生!

Neutral

Everyday conversations, instructions, general advice.

在公共场所要讲卫生。

Formal

Official announcements, health guidelines, professional settings.

请各位旅客注意讲卫生。

Where You'll Hear 讲卫生

Hygiene Awareness
🏠

Home reminder

出门前记得洗手,要讲卫生。

🏫

School announcement

请同学们在食堂讲卫生。

🍽️

Restaurant review

这家店很干净,他们很讲卫生。

🧽

Public health campaign

讲卫生,防疾病。

✈️

Travel advice

去国外旅行要注意讲卫生。

🏢

Workplace policy

办公室需要保持讲卫生。

讲卫生 vs. Similar Phrases

讲卫生 (jiǎng wèishēng)
Active practice To practice hygiene
Focus Sanitation, health-related cleanliness
爱干净 (ài gānjìng)
Personality To love being clean
Focus General neatness, tidiness as a trait
保持清洁 (bǎochí qīngjié)
Action/State To maintain cleanliness
Focus Ongoing effort, keeping something clean

Contexts for Practicing Hygiene

🧼

Personal Care

  • Washing hands
  • Showering
  • Oral hygiene
🏡

Home Environment

  • Kitchen cleanliness
  • Bathroom sanitation
  • Waste disposal
🏛️

Public Spaces

  • Restrooms
  • Transportation
  • Eating areas
❤️

Health Prevention

  • Preventing illness
  • Food safety
  • Community health

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct word. Fill Blank beginner

在公共场合,我们要养成良好的习惯,多 ______ 卫生。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

The phrase is `讲卫生`, meaning to practice hygiene.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly. Choose beginner

Which sentence correctly expresses the idea of being hygienic?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我们需要讲卫生。

`讲卫生` is the standard phrase for practicing hygiene. The other options use incorrect or less suitable phrases.

Find and fix the error in the sentence. Error Fix intermediate

Find and fix the mistake:

出门前,记得要讲健康。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 出门前,记得要讲卫生。

The phrase `讲卫生` specifically refers to practicing hygiene, while `讲健康` means to advocate for or discuss health in general.

Translate the sentence into Chinese. Translate intermediate

We should pay attention to hygiene when eating out.

Hints: Use 'we' for '我们', 'Eating out' can be '在外面吃饭'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我们在外面吃饭时应该讲卫生。

This translation uses `讲卫生` to convey the need for hygiene in a specific context.

Fill in the blank. Fill Blank intermediate

为了预防疾病,每个人都应该注意 ______。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 卫生

The context of preventing diseases points directly to `卫生` (hygiene/sanitation).

Choose the sentence that best fits the context. Choose intermediate

Which sentence is most appropriate for a sign in a public restroom?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 请讲卫生。

`请讲卫生` is the standard and most direct way to ask people to maintain hygiene in public facilities.

Identify and correct the mistake. Error Fix advanced

Find and fix the mistake:

这位厨师非常讲干净,他的厨房总是闪闪发光。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这位厨师非常讲卫生,他的厨房总是干净整洁。

While `干净` means 'clean', `讲卫生` specifically refers to practicing hygiene, which is more appropriate for a chef's professional standards. Adding '干净整洁' clarifies the result.

Put the words in the correct order to form a meaningful sentence. Reorder advanced

Arrange the words in the correct order:

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我们讲公共卫生。

This sentence means 'We practice public hygiene,' emphasizing collective responsibility.

Translate the following sentence into Chinese. Translate advanced

Practicing good hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of germs.

Hints: 'Essential' can be '至关重要', 'Spread of germs' is '细菌传播'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 讲卫生对于防止细菌传播至关重要。

This advanced translation uses `讲卫生` in a formal, explanatory context.

Choose the sentence that uses `讲卫生` most naturally. Choose advanced

Which sentence demonstrates the most natural usage of `讲卫生`?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 孩子们需要学习讲卫生。

While all options are grammatically plausible, 'Children need to learn to practice hygiene' feels like the most common and natural scenario for using this phrase.

Match the Chinese phrase with its closest English meaning in this context. Match advanced

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

This exercise helps differentiate `讲卫生` from similar expressions based on nuance.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate term. Fill Blank advanced

这次疫情让我们更加深刻地认识到 ______ 的重要性。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 讲卫生

The context of an epidemic strongly emphasizes the importance of `讲卫生` (practicing hygiene) for public health.

🎉 Score: /12

Frequently Asked Questions

18 questions

It means to actively practice good hygiene and sanitation. It's about being mindful of cleanliness in both personal habits and surroundings to maintain health and prevent the spread of germs. Think of it as a commitment to being clean.

It's quite neutral and versatile. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal settings like public announcements or health advisories. It's widely understood and appropriate in most contexts.

Use it when encouraging someone to be clean, describing someone who is hygienic, or discussing the importance of cleanliness for health. This applies to personal actions like washing hands, keeping your living space tidy, or maintaining sanitation in public areas.

讲卫生 refers to the active practice and awareness of hygiene for health reasons. 爱干净 describes someone who simply loves being clean, which might be more about personal preference or tidiness rather than strict sanitation.

Yes, absolutely! You can say a restaurant, a hospital, or even a public restroom 讲卫生 if it is clean and sanitary. It implies that the management or users maintain good hygiene standards.

Using 讲健康 (speak health) instead of 讲卫生 (be hygienic) would change the meaning. It would sound like you're talking about advocating for health in general, rather than emphasizing the specific actions of cleanliness and sanitation needed to stay healthy.

While 讲卫生 is neutral, phrases like 注意卫生 (zhùyì wèishēng - pay attention to hygiene) or 保持卫生标准 (bǎochí wèishēng biāozhǔn - maintain hygiene standards) can sound slightly more formal, especially in written instructions or official guidelines.

Practicing 讲卫生 is highly valued culturally. It reflects personal responsibility, consideration for others, and contributes to the overall well-being of the community. It's seen as a fundamental aspect of civilized behavior.

Usually, it's used positively or neutrally. However, you might hear someone complain about a lack of it, like '这个地方太不讲卫生了!' (This place is so unhygienic!), highlighting its absence.

做卫生 is sometimes heard, especially in casual speech, and often means 'to do cleaning work' or 'to tidy up'. However, 讲卫生 emphasizes the broader concept and practice of hygiene, not just the physical act of cleaning.

Yes, definitely. When discussing food preparation or handling, 讲卫生 is crucial. It ensures that food is prepared and served in a sanitary manner to prevent contamination and illness.

Yes, it can be used humorously, especially as a lighthearted reminder among friends. For example, telling someone to '讲卫生' before eating messy street food can be a funny nudge to be a bit tidier.

The most direct opposite would be implied by saying someone '不讲卫生' (bù jiǎng wèishēng), meaning they are unhygienic or neglect hygiene. You could also describe a place as '脏乱' (zāng luàn - dirty and messy) or '不卫生' (bù wèishēng - unsanitary).

Yes, it's very common in schools. Teachers often remind students to 讲卫生, especially regarding handwashing, keeping classrooms clean, and maintaining good hygiene during meals.

The core message is that cleanliness and sanitation are important practices for personal health, public well-being, and social responsibility. It's about actively participating in maintaining a healthy environment.

No, 讲卫生 is strictly for physical cleanliness and sanitation. It does not extend to concepts like mental health or emotional well-being.

The phrase 讲卫生 is standard across Mandarin-speaking regions. While some colloquialisms might vary slightly, this core phrase remains universally understood for hygiene.

It's fundamental! During pandemics or outbreaks, promoting 讲卫生 (like frequent handwashing, covering coughs) becomes a primary public health strategy to curb the spread of infectious diseases.

Related Phrases

🔗

爱干净

related topic

To love being clean

This phrase describes a personality trait of loving cleanliness, which often leads to practicing good hygiene.

🔄

注意卫生

synonym

Pay attention to hygiene

Very similar in meaning, often used as an instruction or reminder to focus on hygiene practices.

🔗

保持清洁

related topic

Maintain cleanliness

This focuses on the continuous effort required to keep something or oneself clean and tidy over time.

🔗

干净

related topic

Clean

This is the basic adjective 'clean', while `讲卫生` is the active practice or promotion of hygiene.

🔗

卫生间

related topic

Restroom/Bathroom

This noun refers to a place where practicing `讲卫生` is particularly important.

↔️

不讲卫生

antonym

Unhygienic / Not practicing hygiene

This directly negates the practice of hygiene, describing someone or something that neglects cleanliness.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!