To clear away, remove, or organize in order to restore order.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To remove unnecessary items or debris from a space.
- To organize and tidy up chaotic or messy situations.
- Used for both physical objects and abstract data or accounts.
1) 概述：清理是一个常见动词，核心含义是移除不需要的、多余的或阻碍性的东西，以恢复事物的正常状态。它不仅涉及空间的物理清洁，还广泛应用于数据、财务、人际关系等领域。
2) 使用模式：该词常与宾语搭配，如“清理房间”、“清理垃圾”、“清理库存”。在结构上，它常作为谓语，有时后面可以接补语，如“清理干净”、“清理掉”。
3) 常见语境：在日常生活中，人们常说“清理桌面”或“清理衣柜”。在工作环境中，它用于“清理文件”或“清理工作台”。在财务领域，则指“清理账目”或“清理债务”。
4) 近义词比较：“打扫”侧重于通过扫除来保持卫生，多用于房间；“整理”侧重于将杂乱的东西按顺序摆放，不一定涉及移除；“清理”则明确包含“清除”和“移除”的动作，程度比前两者更彻底。
Examples
我周末花了整整一天清理车库。
everydayI spent the whole day cleaning out the garage on the weekend.
公司要求员工清理各自的办公桌。
formalThe company requires employees to clear their own desks.
快点清理一下你的桌面，太乱了！
informalHurry up and clear your desk, it's too messy!
该部门正在清理历史遗留的库存数据。
academicThe department is clearing out historical inventory data.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
清理门户
to purge one's own ranks
清理现场
to clear the scene
Often Confused With
打扫 focuses on removing dust and dirt from a surface. 清理 focuses on removing objects or clearing space.
整理 means to organize or put things in order. You can organize things without throwing them away, whereas 清理 implies removal.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '清理' is versatile and used in both professional and casual settings. It carries a sense of purpose, implying that the action is done to improve efficiency or order. When used with abstract nouns like 'debts' or 'accounts', it sounds professional.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '清理' for 'cleaning' a window or 'washing' a car, which is incorrect. Use '擦' or '洗' for those actions. Only use '清理' when removing clutter or clearing out items/data.
Tips
Focus on the removal aspect
Remember that '清理' strongly implies removing what is useless, not just moving things around. Use it when you are getting rid of clutter.
Don't confuse with simple cleaning
If you are just dusting a table, '擦' (wipe) or '打扫' (clean) is better. '清理' implies a more thorough process of clearing space.
The importance of decluttering
In Chinese culture, especially before the New Year, '清理' (cleaning out the old) is essential to welcome good luck and prosperity.
Word Origin
The character '清' implies clarity or purity, and '理' relates to logic or order. Combined, they represent the process of restoring order by removing impurities or clutter.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, the tradition of '大扫除' (deep cleaning) before the Spring Festival is essentially a large-scale '清理'. It symbolizes washing away bad luck and preparing for a fresh start.
Memory Tip
Think of '清' (clear) and '理' (manage/order). You clear the space to manage it better.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“打扫”主要指扫除灰尘和垃圾，侧重于卫生。而“清理”范围更广，包含移除不再需要的东西，侧重于空间的腾空和秩序的恢复。
可以。在电脑语境下，清理通常指删除缓存、垃圾文件或卸载不常用的软件，以释放存储空间。
通常不直接用于人。如果指处理人际关系，我们更倾向于说“梳理关系”或“清理社交圈”。
它属于中性词，既可以在日常对话中使用，也可以在正式的公文或商业报告中使用。
Test Yourself
为了迎接新年，我们要把家里没用的旧东西都___掉。
清理包含清除和移除的意思，符合语境。
下列哪项最适合用“清理”描述？
清理通常用于处理杂物或数据，选项B最符合用法。
房间 / 我们 / 需要 / 把 / 清理 / 一下
符合主谓宾结构及“把”字句的语法规范。
Score: /3
Summary
To clear away, remove, or organize in order to restore order.
- To remove unnecessary items or debris from a space.
- To organize and tidy up chaotic or messy situations.
- Used for both physical objects and abstract data or accounts.
Focus on the removal aspect
Remember that '清理' strongly implies removing what is useless, not just moving things around. Use it when you are getting rid of clutter.
Don't confuse with simple cleaning
If you are just dusting a table, '擦' (wipe) or '打扫' (clean) is better. '清理' implies a more thorough process of clearing space.
The importance of decluttering
In Chinese culture, especially before the New Year, '清理' (cleaning out the old) is essential to welcome good luck and prosperity.
Examples
4 of 4我周末花了整整一天清理车库。
I spent the whole day cleaning out the garage on the weekend.
公司要求员工清理各自的办公桌。
The company requires employees to clear their own desks.
快点清理一下你的桌面，太乱了！
Hurry up and clear your desk, it's too messy!
该部门正在清理历史遗留的库存数据。
The department is clearing out historical inventory data.
