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A2 verb 9 min read

清扫

qingsao

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 清扫 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 清扫 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 清扫 (qīngsǎo) as a fancy way to say 'sweep the floor.' You already know 扫 (sǎo), which means to sweep. Adding 清 (qīng) just makes it mean 'to sweep until it is clear and clean.' You can use this word when talking about your daily chores, like cleaning your room or helping your parents. It is a verb, so you put it after the person doing the action. For example, 'I clean the floor' is '我清扫地面.' It is a very useful word for describing how you help keep your environment tidy. Even though it's an A2 word, understanding that it involves a broom and trash makes it easy to remember at the A1 level. Just remember: it's about making things 'clear' (清) by 'sweeping' (扫).

At the A2 level, you should start to see the difference between 清扫 (qīngsǎo) and the more common 打扫 (dǎsǎo). While both mean 'to clean,' 清扫 specifically focuses on the act of sweeping away dust, leaves, or trash. You will often hear this word in school when it's your turn to clean the classroom. It's a bit more formal and thorough than just tidying up. You should practice using it with the '把' (bǎ) structure, like '把教室清扫干净' (clean the classroom thoroughly). This level requires you to understand that 清扫 is often used for larger areas like streets, parks, or large rooms. It is a great word to use when describing community service or school duties in your speaking tests.

For B1 learners, 清扫 (qīngsǎo) becomes a word associated with professional maintenance and civic responsibility. You will encounter it in news articles about environmental protection or city management. You should understand that 清扫 implies a systematic approach. It's not just a random act of cleaning; it's a planned task. For example, '定期清扫' (regular cleaning) is a common phrase. You might also start seeing it used in passive sentences with '被' (bèi), such as '街道每天都被清扫' (the streets are cleaned every day). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish it from 清理 (qīnglǐ), which is more about organizing and removing unwanted items rather than just sweeping physical dust.

At the B2 level, you can use 清扫 (qīngsǎo) in more formal writing and complex discussions. It often appears in contexts of social governance and public health. For instance, you might discuss how '清扫积雪' (clearing snow) is crucial for traffic safety during winter. You should also be aware of its metaphorical extensions, such as '清扫障碍' (clearing obstacles), which can refer to removing difficulties in a project or a career path. Your vocabulary should now include collocations like '全面清扫' (comprehensive cleaning) and '彻底清扫' (thorough cleaning). You are expected to use the word accurately in formal reports or essays about community life or urban development.

C1 learners should appreciate the nuance of 清扫 (qīngsǎo) in literary and high-level administrative contexts. It can be used to describe the 'sweeping away' of old ideologies, corrupt practices, or historical remnants. The word carries a connotation of purification and renewal. In literature, an author might use 清扫 to describe a character's attempt to clear their mind or start a new life. You should be able to use it fluently in debates about urban planning, discussing the efficiency of '城市清扫系统' (urban cleaning systems). At this stage, you should also understand how it contrasts with even more formal terms like 肃清 (sùqīng), which is used for political or ideological purges.

At the C2 level, 清扫 (qīngsǎo) is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used with precision in academic, legal, or highly formal Chinese. You might analyze the '清扫' of a marketplace—meaning the systematic removal of illegal vendors or the restructuring of trade regulations. You understand the historical weight of the word in various Chinese social movements where 'cleaning up' was a metaphor for radical change. You can use it in complex sentence structures to describe the meticulous work of archaeologists '清扫现场' (clearing the site) or the strategic '清扫' of a battlefield in a historical analysis. Your mastery allows you to use this word to convey both the mundane physical act and the profound abstract concept of restoration and order.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

清扫 in 30 Seconds

清扫 is a verb meaning 'to clean up' or 'to sweep away' physical debris.
It is more formal and thorough than the common word '打扫' (dǎsǎo).
Commonly used for streets, public spaces, and large-scale cleaning tasks.
Can be used metaphorically for clearing obstacles or purging corruption.

The Chinese verb 清扫 (qīngsǎo) is a compound word that combines the concepts of 'clearing' and 'sweeping' to describe a thorough, systematic cleaning process. At its core, the character 清 (qīng) signifies clarity, purity, or the act of making something transparent and orderly, while 扫 (sǎo) literally means to sweep with a broom or to clear away debris. Together, they form a term that goes beyond a simple, quick tidy-up. When you use 清扫, you are implying a level of depth and completion that is often associated with public spaces, large-scale environments, or a very dedicated session of housework.

Physical Action: The most common use of 清扫 involves the physical removal of dirt, dust, and trash from a floor or a large area. It is the standard term for street cleaners (环卫工人) who maintain urban cleanliness and for students who are assigned to clean their classrooms after the school day ends.
Metaphorical Clearance: In more formal or abstract contexts, 清扫 can refer to the systematic removal of obstacles, corruption, or unwanted elements within an organization. For instance, a new administration might 'clean sweep' old, inefficient policies to make room for progress.

为了迎接新年的到来，全家人都在忙着清扫屋子。 (To welcome the New Year, the whole family is busy cleaning the house.)

The word is frequently encountered in urban management. You will see it on the sides of street-sweeping vehicles or in community announcements regarding 'Spring Cleaning' (春季大清扫). It carries a sense of civic duty and public hygiene. In a professional setting, a manager might instruct the staff to 清扫仓库 (clean the warehouse), which suggests a much bigger job than just picking up a few stray papers. It involves moving pallets, sweeping the entire floor, and ensuring the space is completely clear of dust and debris.

环卫工人每天早晨五点就开始清扫街道。 (Sanitation workers start cleaning the streets at five o'clock every morning.)

Understanding the nuance between 'sweeping' and 'clearing' is key. If you are just using a broom to move some dust, 扫 is enough. If you are cleaning a room to make it ready for a guest, 打扫 is perfect. But if you are performing a deep clean that leaves the area spotless and 'clear' (清), then 清扫 is the most accurate verb to choose. This word is an essential part of the A2 vocabulary because it bridges the gap between basic daily actions and more formal descriptions of maintenance and hygiene.

Using 清扫 (qīngsǎo) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical flexibility and its typical objects. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a location or a specific type of debris as its direct object. The structure is typically Subject + 清扫 + Object. However, because the action often results in a state of cleanliness, it is frequently paired with resultative complements like 干净 (gānjìng - clean).

Standard Active Voice: This is the most straightforward usage where a person or entity performs the cleaning. Example: '志愿者们正在清扫公园里的垃圾。' (The volunteers are cleaning up the trash in the park.) Here, the focus is on the action and the agents performing it.
The '把' (bǎ) Construction: In Chinese, the '把' structure is used to emphasize the disposal or change of state of an object. Since 清扫 involves changing a messy place into a clean one, this structure is very common. Example: '请把走廊清扫一下。' (Please sweep the hallway a bit.)

我们必须在客人到来之前把客厅清扫干净。 (We must clean the living room thoroughly before the guests arrive.)

Another important aspect is the passive voice using 被 (bèi). In formal reports or news stories, you might hear about streets or public squares being cleaned. Example: '积雪已经被清扫完毕。' (The accumulated snow has already been cleared away.) This shifts the focus to the result of the action. Notice the use of 完毕 (wánbì), which means 'finished' or 'completed', adding to the sense of thoroughness that 清扫 carries.

When talking about specific types of cleaning, 清扫 is the go-to verb for things like 'fallen leaves' (落叶), 'dust' (灰尘), and 'garbage' (垃圾). It implies the use of tools like brooms, shovels, or industrial sweepers. It is rarely used for washing dishes or cleaning clothes; for those actions, specific verbs like 洗 (xǐ) are used. Therefore, always associate 清扫 with surfaces and large areas that require sweeping or clearing.

这场大雨过后，我们需要清扫院子里的积水和落叶。 (After this heavy rain, we need to clear the standing water and fallen leaves in the yard.)

In a Chinese-speaking environment, 清扫 (qīngsǎo) is a word that rings through the air in various professional and social settings. If you are living in a Chinese city, you will most likely encounter this word in the context of urban maintenance. Every morning, before the rush hour begins, fleets of specialized vehicles known as 清扫车 (sweeper trucks) patrol the streets. You might hear residents talking about how the 'street cleaners' (清扫工) do a great job keeping the neighborhood tidy.

In Schools and Workplaces: Chinese schools emphasize communal responsibility. Students are often divided into groups for 'duty' (值日). The teacher might announce, '今天轮到第一组清扫教室。' (Today it is the first group's turn to clean the classroom.) This usage instills a sense of shared labor and hygiene from a young age.
Public Announcements: In apartment complexes, the property management (物业) often posts notices about scheduled maintenance. You might see a sign saying, '周三下午将对地下车库进行全面清扫。' (The underground garage will undergo a comprehensive cleaning on Wednesday afternoon.)

广播里传来了通知：'请各位员工离开办公室，以便保洁人员进行清扫。' (The announcement came over the loudspeaker: 'All employees please leave the office so that the cleaning staff can perform the cleaning.')

You will also hear 清扫 in the news, particularly when discussing disaster relief or large-scale events. For example, after a marathon or a festival, the media might report on how quickly the sanitation department 清扫战场 (cleaned the 'battlefield', a common metaphor for a messy event site). This reinforces the word's association with efficiency and large-scale effort. Even in modern tech, a robot vacuum is often called a 扫地机器人, but its function is described as 自动清扫 (automatic cleaning/sweeping).

由于大雪封路，政府出动了大型机械来清扫高速公路上的积雪。 (Due to the heavy snow blocking the road, the government dispatched large machinery to clear the snow on the highway.)

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake is using 清扫 (qīngsǎo) interchangeably with other cleaning-related verbs like 洗 (xǐ), 擦 (cā), or 整理 (zhěnglǐ). While all these fall under the 'cleaning' umbrella in English, they are distinct in Chinese. 清扫 specifically implies sweeping and clearing. You cannot 清扫 your hands (use 洗), and you cannot 清扫 a window (use 擦 or 擦拭).

Confusion with 打扫 (dǎsǎo): Many learners use 清扫 for every household chore. However, 打扫 is the standard, everyday word for tidying up a room. Using 清扫 for a small bedroom might sound slightly overly formal or dramatic, as if you are performing an industrial-grade cleaning operation.
Misusing for Digital Files: While you might 'clean up' your computer files in English, in Chinese, you should use 清理 (qīnglǐ) for digital data or organizational tasks. 清扫 is strictly for physical debris that can be swept or cleared from a surface.

错误：我要清扫我的电子邮件。 (Incorrect: I want to 'sweep-clean' my emails.)
正确：我要清理我的电子邮件。 (Correct: I want to clear/organize my emails.)

Another common error is forgetting the resultative complement. Because 清扫 is an action verb, it doesn't automatically guarantee that the place is clean—it just means the action was performed. To say the place is now clean because of the sweeping, you must say 清扫干净. Simply saying '我清扫了房间' (I swept the room) focuses on the effort, not necessarily the successful outcome.

Lastly, be careful with the scale. 清扫 is a 'big' word. If you are just picking up one piece of paper, don't use it. If you are spending three hours removing all the dust and trash from a basement, then 清扫 is the perfect fit. Using it inappropriately for tiny tasks can make your Chinese sound slightly unnatural or robotic.

注意：不要说“清扫碗筷”，应该说“洗碗”。 (Note: Don't say 'sweep-clean dishes', you should say 'wash dishes'.)

To master 清扫 (qīngsǎo), it is vital to compare it with its close relatives. The Chinese language has a rich vocabulary for cleanliness, and choosing the right word depends on the tool used, the object being cleaned, and the desired outcome.

打扫 (dǎsǎo) vs. 清扫: 打扫 is the most versatile and common word for general cleaning. It includes sweeping, dusting, and tidying. 清扫 is a subset that focuses specifically on the 'sweeping away' and 'clearing out' part of the process. If you want to say 'clean the house,' use 打扫房间. If you want to say 'thoroughly sweep the floors and remove all debris,' use 清扫地面.
清理 (qīnglǐ) vs. 清扫: 清理 means to sort out, organize, and dispose of unwanted items. It is used for things like cleaning out a closet, sorting through files, or clearing debt. 清扫 is more about the physical act of sweeping dust and trash. You 清理 your computer, but you 清扫 your porch.
扫除 (sǎochú) vs. 清扫: 扫除 is often used as a noun or a formal verb for 'elimination.' It is most famous in the term 大扫除 (general cleaning). It has a stronger sense of 'getting rid of' things completely. 清扫 is more focused on the ongoing maintenance and the act of sweeping itself.

比较：
1. 我在打扫卧室。 (I am tidying my bedroom.)
2. 环卫工人在清扫大街。 (Sanitation workers are sweeping the main street.)
3. 我在清理书架。 (I am organizing/clearing out the bookshelf.)

In some contexts, you might also see 肃清 (sùqīng). This is a very formal, political word meaning to 'purge' or 'eliminate' undesirable elements (like corruption or enemy remnants). It shares the 清 character but is much more intense and abstract than the physical 清扫. For learners at the A2 level, focusing on the distinction between 打扫 and 清扫 is the most practical step toward sounding like a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '扫' (sǎo) originally depicted a hand holding a broom made of twigs. The simplified version still retains the 'hand' radical on the left.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃʰiŋ saʊ/

US /tʃʰiŋ saʊ/

The emphasis is usually balanced, but 'qīng' is often held slightly longer due to the first tone.

Rhymes With

兵 (bīng) 星 (xīng) 听 (tīng) 跑 (pǎo) 早 (zǎo) 考 (kǎo) 好 (hǎo) 老 (lǎo)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'q' like 'k' (it should be 'ch').
Missing the third tone in 'sǎo' (making it sound like 'sāo' or 'sào').
Confusing 'qīng' with 'qǐng' (please).
Merging the two syllables too quickly without distinct tones.
Aspirating the 's' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple with common radicals (water and hand).

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the stroke order for '清' and the slightly complex '扫'.

Speaking 2/5

The 'q' sound can be tricky for beginners, but the word is very common.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sounds make it easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

扫水手干净垃圾

Learn Next

整理洗涤卫生环境保护

Advanced

肃清整顿疏通净化

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

清扫 + 干净 (clean), 清扫 + 完 (finished)

The '把' Construction

把垃圾清扫走 (Sweep the trash away)

Passive Voice with '被'

地面被清扫得发亮 (The floor was swept until it shone)

Reduplication for 'a bit'

清扫清扫 (Clean a bit)

Directional Complements

清扫出来 (Sweep out)

Examples by Level

我每天清扫我的房间。

I clean my room every day.

Subject + Time + Verb + Object

妈妈在清扫厨房。

Mom is cleaning the kitchen.

Present continuous using '在'

请清扫这里。

Please clean here.

Imperative sentence with '请'

我们会清扫地面。

We will sweep the floor.

Future intent with '会'

教室很脏，我们要清扫。

The classroom is dirty; we need to clean it.

Stating a reason before the action

他不爱清扫屋子。

He doesn't like cleaning the house.

Negative '不' before the verb phrase

清扫以后，这里很干净。

After cleaning, it is very clean here.

Time phrase '以后' (after)

谁来清扫垃圾？

Who will clean up the trash?

Question with '谁' (who)

学生们正在清扫校园里的落叶。

The students are cleaning the fallen leaves in the campus.

Use of '正在' for ongoing action.

请把走廊清扫干净。

Please sweep the hallway clean.

把 construction with resultative '干净'.

我们星期六要进行大清扫。

We are going to have a big cleaning on Saturday.

Noun usage in '进行大清扫'.

环卫工人每天早起清扫街道。

Sanitation workers wake up early every day to sweep the streets.

Serial verb construction: wake up then sweep.

你需要清扫一下你的桌面。

You need to sweep off your desk a bit.

Softening the tone with '一下'.

他清扫得很认真。

He cleaned very conscientiously.

Degree complement with '得'.

这间屋子很久没清扫了。

This room hasn't been cleaned for a long time.

Duration with '很久没...了'.

清扫垃圾是每个人的责任。

Cleaning up trash is everyone's responsibility.

Verb phrase as a subject.

为了保护环境，志愿者们定期清扫海滩。

To protect the environment, volunteers regularly clean the beach.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

街道上的积雪已经被清扫完毕了。

The snow on the streets has already been cleared.

Passive voice with '被' and completion '完毕'.

商场每天晚上都会进行全面清扫。

The mall undergoes a comprehensive cleaning every night.

Adverb '全面' modifying the noun action.

物业公司负责清扫小区的公共区域。

The property management company is responsible for cleaning the common areas of the community.

Verb '负责' (to be responsible for).

你应该清扫一下书架上的灰尘。

You should sweep the dust off the bookshelf.

Specific object '灰尘' (dust).

虽然任务艰巨，但他们还是完成了清扫工作。

Although the task was difficult, they still finished the cleaning work.

Conjunction '虽然...但...' (although... but...).

清扫车在马路上缓慢行驶。

The sweeper truck is driving slowly on the road.

Noun '清扫车' (sweeper truck).

我们要养成清扫垃圾的好习惯。

We should develop the good habit of cleaning up trash.

Attributive phrase '清扫垃圾的' modifying '习惯'.

政府投入了大量人力物力来清扫震后的废墟。

The government invested a lot of manpower and resources to clear the ruins after the earthquake.

Complex sentence with multiple objects.

在开始新项目之前，我们需要清扫所有的技术障碍。

Before starting the new project, we need to clear all technical obstacles.

Metaphorical use for 'obstacles'.

这家公司正在清扫内部的腐败分子。

The company is purging corrupt elements from within.

Abstract usage referring to people/elements.

由于缺乏维护，这条小路已经被杂草覆盖，急需清扫。

Due to lack of maintenance, this path is covered in weeds and urgently needs clearing.

Passive state followed by a need.

这种新型机器人可以实现全自动的家庭清扫。

This new type of robot can achieve fully automatic home cleaning.

Using '实现' (to realize/achieve) with a noun phrase.

清扫工作不仅是为了美观，更是为了卫生。

Cleaning work is not only for aesthetics, but more importantly for hygiene.

Correlative '不仅...更是...'.

他用一把大扫帚清扫着院子里的积水。

He was sweeping the standing water in the yard with a large broom.

Instrumental phrase '用...' before the verb.

我们需要对仓库进行一次彻底的清扫。

We need to conduct a thorough cleaning of the warehouse.

Using '对...进行' for formal action.

新任CEO决定清扫公司陈旧的管理制度。

The new CEO decided to sweep away the company's outdated management systems.

Metaphorical usage for systems/rules.

历史的洪流清扫了一切旧时代的痕迹。

The torrent of history swept away all traces of the old era.

Literary personification of 'history'.

在法律的清扫下，该地区的犯罪率显著下降。

Under the sweep of the law, the crime rate in this area has dropped significantly.

Noun usage in a prepositional phrase.

他试图通过旅行来清扫内心的阴霾。

He tried to clear the gloom in his heart through travel.

Psychological metaphorical usage.

考古学家们正小心翼翼地清扫着文物上的泥土。

Archaeologists are carefully clearing the soil off the cultural relics.

Adverbial '小心翼翼地' (carefully/cautiously).

这次行动旨在清扫网络空间中的虚假信息。

This operation aims to sweep away false information in cyberspace.

Formal purpose '旨在' (aimed at).

随着春风的吹拂，冬日的残雪被清扫得无影无踪。

As the spring breeze blew, the remaining winter snow was swept away without a trace.

Resultative complement '无影无踪' (without a trace).

这篇文章对社会积弊进行了辛辣的清扫。

This article performed a biting sweep of social ills.

Abstract critical usage.

这种地缘政治的变革，无异于对原有势力范围的一次暴力清扫。

This geopolitical transformation is equivalent to a violent sweeping of original spheres of influence.

High-level political analysis.

他在自传中清扫了那些长期以来针对他的不实指控。

In his autobiography, he swept away those false accusations that had long been directed at him.

Refuting abstract concepts.

这种审美上的清扫，标志着极简主义在建筑界的全面胜利。

This aesthetic sweep marks the total victory of minimalism in the architectural world.

Artistic/Architectural critique.

监管机构正致力于清扫金融市场中的灰色地带。

Regulatory agencies are working to clear the gray areas in the financial markets.

Economic/Legal terminology.

文化的融合往往伴随着对异质元素的清扫与重构。

Cultural fusion is often accompanied by the sweeping and reconstruction of heterogeneous elements.

Sociological academic phrasing.

该学说试图清扫逻辑学中存在的悖论。

The theory attempts to sweep away the paradoxes existing in logic.

Philosophical/Scientific context.

城市化的扩张不可避免地清扫了原有的乡村景观。

The expansion of urbanization inevitably swept away the original rural landscapes.

Environmental/Social critique.

这场思想革命清扫了束缚人们千年的封建枷锁。

This ideological revolution swept away the feudal shackles that had bound people for a thousand years.

Historical/Revolutionary rhetoric.

Common Collocations

清扫街道

彻底清扫

清扫积雪

全面清扫

清扫垃圾

自动清扫

清扫战场

定期清扫

清扫落叶

清扫干净

Common Phrases

大清扫

— A major or general cleaning event, often organized by a community or school.

周五下午全校大清扫。

清扫工

— A person whose job is to clean streets or public buildings; a cleaner.

清扫工非常辛苦。

清扫车

— A specialized vehicle (sweeper truck) used to clean large road surfaces.

清扫车在深夜工作。

清扫工具

— Tools used for cleaning, such as brooms, dustpans, and mops.

仓库里放着各种清扫工具。

清扫范围

— The specific area or scope that needs to be cleaned.

这是我们组的清扫范围。

清扫计划

— A scheduled plan for when and how cleaning will be conducted.

我们需要制定一个清扫计划。

清扫完毕

— Indicates that the cleaning task has been fully completed.

任务已经清扫完毕。

义务清扫

— Voluntary cleaning work performed without pay for the community.

周末我们去公园参加义务清扫。

清扫难度

— The level of difficulty involved in cleaning a particular area or mess.

油渍增加了清扫难度。

清扫标准

— The required level of cleanliness that must be achieved.

五星级酒店有严格的清扫标准。

Often Confused With

清扫 vs 打扫

打扫 is more general; 清扫 is more specifically about sweeping and clearing.

清扫 vs 清理

清理 is for organizing/discarding; 清扫 is for physical sweeping.

清扫 vs 清洗

清洗 requires water/washing; 清扫 involves a broom/sweeping.

Idioms & Expressions

"一扫而空"

— To sweep everything away in one go; to completely clear away (often used for feelings or obstacles).

听到好消息，他的烦恼一扫而空。

Literary/Common

"扫地出门"

— To sweep someone out of the house; to kick someone out or fire them ignominiously.

他因为犯错被老板扫地出门。

Colloquial

"闭门造车"

— Literally 'building a cart behind closed doors'; to act blindly without regard for reality (not directly cleaning, but uses 'door').

我们不能闭门造车，要多交流。

Formal

"扫榻以待"

— To sweep the couch and wait; a polite way to say 'I eagerly await your visit'.

闻君欲来，我当扫榻以待。

Very Formal/Literary

"威信扫地"

— To have one's prestige or authority completely swept away/ruined.

这起丑闻让他威信扫地。

Formal

"各人自扫门前雪"

— Everyone sweeps the snow from their own doorstep; to mind one's own business and not help others.

邻里之间不能总是各人自扫门前雪。

Common Proverb

"扫兴而归"

— To return home disappointed (prestige/mood swept away).

因为下雨，我们只好扫兴而归。

Common

"开门见山"

— To open the door and see the mountain; to get straight to the point.

我就开门见山地说了吧。

Neutral

"门可罗雀"

— So quiet you can catch sparrows at the door (implies no cleaning needed because no guests).

这家书店生意不好，门可罗雀。

Literary

"家徒四壁"

— To have nothing but four bare walls (so clean it's empty).

他家徒四壁，生活非常艰苦。

Literary

Easily Confused

清扫 vs 打扫

Both mean 'to clean'.

打扫 is for daily tidying of a room; 清扫 is for thorough sweeping of a surface or large area.

我打扫房间，环卫工人清扫马路。

清扫 vs 清理

Both involve 'cleaning up'.

清理 is about sorting and removing (files, junk); 清扫 is about the physical act of sweeping dust/trash.

清理邮箱，清扫地板。

清扫 vs 整顿

Both mean 'to put in order'.

整顿 is a formal word for reorganizing a system or group; 清扫 is for physical dirt.

整顿纪律，清扫卫生。

清扫 vs 扫除

Both use the character '扫'.

扫除 is often a noun for a major cleaning event or a verb for 'eliminating' social problems.

大扫除，扫除文盲。

清扫 vs 擦拭

Both are cleaning actions.

擦拭 is specifically 'wiping' with a cloth; 清扫 is 'sweeping' with a broom.

擦拭桌面，清扫地面。

Sentence Patterns

S + V + O

我清扫房间。

把 + O + V + Result

把地清扫干净。

O + 被 + S + V

落叶被学生清扫了。

对...进行清扫

对街道进行清扫。

V + Complement of degree

清扫得一尘不染。

Metaphorical S + V + O

法律清扫了罪恶。

V + 一下

清扫一下桌面。

定期 + V

定期清扫空调。

Word Family

Nouns

清扫工 (qīngsǎogōng - cleaner)

清扫车 (qīngsǎochē - sweeper truck)

大清扫 (dàqīngsǎo - general cleaning)

Verbs

扫 (sǎo - sweep)

打扫 (dǎsǎo - clean/tidy)

扫除 (sǎochú - eliminate/clean)

Adjectives

干净 (gānjìng - clean)

整洁 (zhěngjié - tidy)

卫生 (wèishēng)

垃圾 (lājī)

灰尘 (huīchén)

扫帚 (sàozhu)

簸箕 (bòji)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both written and spoken Chinese, especially in institutional contexts.

Common Mistakes

清扫牙齿 → 刷牙
清扫 is for surfaces and floors, not personal hygiene.
清扫衣服 → 洗衣服
You wash clothes; you don't sweep them.
清扫电脑文件 → 清理电脑文件
Digital files are organized or cleared (清理), not swept.
我清扫了很好。 → 我清扫得很好。
Use the particle '得' to describe the manner or result of the action.
清扫窗户 → 擦窗户
Windows are wiped (擦), not swept.

Tips

Use with Resultatives

Always try to add '干净' after '清扫' to indicate the place is actually clean.

The 'Sweep' Rule

If you are using a broom, '清扫' is likely the right word.

New Year Cleaning

Mention '大清扫' when talking about Chinese New Year traditions.

Polite Requests

Add '一下' (qīngsǎo yīxià) to make your request sound less like a command.

Environmental Essays

Use '清扫垃圾' as a key phrase when writing about protecting the environment.

Workplace Duty

Use '负责清扫' to describe who is in charge of cleaning a certain area.

Street vs. Room

Use '清扫' for the street and '打扫' for your bedroom.

Clearing Obstacles

Don't be afraid to use it for 'clearing away problems' in formal speech.

Robot vacuums

Describe their action as '自动清扫' to sound more technical.

Winter Context

Use '清扫积雪' (clearing snow) when talking about winter safety.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Q' in 'Qīng' as a 'Quick' way to see 'Clear' water, and 'Sǎo' as the 'Sound' of a broom 'Sweeping' the floor.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright green street-sweeper truck (清扫车) moving through a dusty city, leaving a 'Clear' (清) path behind it.

Word Web

Broom Dust Clear Street Hygiene Duty Trash Clean

Challenge

Try to use '清扫' in a sentence today when you see someone sweeping outside or when you tidy your own workspace.

Word Origin

The word is a modern compound of two ancient characters. '清' dates back to the early scripts where it represented clear water. '扫' is a combination of the 'hand' radical and a broom-like component.

Original meaning: To use a broom to make a place as clear as water.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be respectful when discussing the work of cleaners (清扫工); it is considered a vital but humble profession.

In the West, cleaning is often seen as a private chore or a service you pay for. In China, communal cleaning (清扫) is often a shared social activity.

The 'Great Spring Cleaning' tradition before Lunar New Year. The ubiquitous orange-vested sanitation workers in Chinese cities. School 'Duty Days' (值日生).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

清扫地板
清扫厨房
清扫灰尘
把屋子清扫干净

At School

值日生清扫
清扫教室
大清扫活动
清扫操场

In the City

清扫街道
清扫积雪
清扫车工作
清扫垃圾桶

At Work

清扫仓库
清扫办公室
清扫费
定期清扫制度

Environmentalism

清扫海滩
清扫公园
义务清扫
清扫白色污染

Conversation Starters

"你家多久进行一次大清扫？"

"在你的国家，谁负责清扫街道？"

"你觉得清扫房间能缓解压力吗？"

"你学校的学生需要清扫教室吗？"

"你用过扫地机器人清扫地板吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你参加学校或社区大清扫的经历。

你认为保持城市清洁最有效的方法是什么？

如果你有一个自动清扫机器人，你希望它能帮你做什么？

写一写清扫房间后的心情变化。

讨论一下清扫工作对公共卫生的重要性。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for teeth you must use '刷牙' (shuāyá). 清扫 is for floors, streets, and large surfaces.

No, for dishes use '洗碗' (xǐwǎn). 清扫 implies sweeping or clearing away dry debris.

扫 is the basic action 'to sweep'. 清扫 is a more formal and thorough version, often implying 'cleaning up' an entire area.

It's better to use '清理' (qīnglǐ) for digital files. 清扫 is strictly for physical environments.

No! To clean a pet, use '洗澡' (bathe) or '梳毛' (brush fur). You would only '清扫' the area where the cat lives.

Use it for 'Spring Cleaning' or a major, organized group cleaning event, like at school or in an office.

Yes, in phrases like '进行清扫' (to conduct a cleaning), it acts as the object of the verb '进行'.

Usually, yes, or a machine that performs a similar sweeping/clearing function, like a street sweeper.

Yes, it is the standard term used by cleaning companies and urban management departments.

It is more formal than '打扫' but still very common in daily life, especially in public or work settings.