打扫干净

The phrase 打扫干净 (dǎsǎo gānjìng) is a quintessential example of a resultative complement in Chinese grammar. It combines the verb 打扫 (to sweep, to clean) with the adjective 干净 (clean), which functions here as the result of the action. When you use this phrase, you aren't just saying that you are in the process of cleaning; you are emphasizing the successful outcome of that effort—the state of being spotless or thoroughly tidy. It is a highly productive and common expression used in daily life, ranging from household chores to professional cleaning services.

The Core Action

The verb 打扫 specifically refers to the physical act of cleaning, often involving sweeping, dusting, or scrubbing. It is a compound verb where 打 (to hit/do) and 扫 (to sweep) combine to mean 'to clean up'.

The Resultative State

The adjective 干净 serves as the complement. In Chinese, verbs often need a resultative complement to indicate that the action was completed to a certain standard. Without 干净, you are just 'cleaning'; with it, you are 'cleaning to the point of being clean'.

In a cultural context, 'cleaning thoroughly' is deeply tied to concepts of respect and preparation. For instance, during the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival), families engage in 大扫除 (dàsǎochú - a major spring cleaning). The goal is to 打扫干净 every corner of the house to sweep away the bad luck of the previous year and welcome the new one with a fresh start. Therefore, this phrase carries a weight of diligence and renewal beyond just simple maintenance.

Furthermore, the phrase is adaptable. You can modify it to express possibility or impossibility using the potential complement form: 打扫得干净 (can be cleaned thoroughly) or 打扫不干净 (cannot be cleaned thoroughly). This flexibility makes it a versatile tool in any speaker's arsenal, whether they are complaining about a stubborn stain or promising a spotless office environment.

Register and Tone

While primarily used for physical spaces (rooms, desks, streets), it can occasionally be used metaphorically in literature to refer to 'cleaning up' a situation or removing corrupt elements, though '清理' is more common for abstract cleanup.

In summary, 打扫干净 is more than just a verb; it's a standard of living. It represents the transition from chaos to order. Whether you are a student tidying a dorm room or a professional janitor, mastering this phrase allows you to communicate expectations of hygiene and order clearly and effectively in Chinese society.

Using 打扫干净 correctly requires an understanding of Chinese sentence structures, particularly those involving objects. Because this phrase describes a result being applied to an object, the 把 (bǎ) construction is the most natural and frequent way to use it. However, it can also appear in passive sentences or as a simple predicate-object structure.

The '把' Structure (Most Common)

Structure: Subject + 把 + Object + 打扫干净. This emphasizes the action taken upon the object to reach the clean state. For example: 我已经把厨房打扫干净了 (I have already cleaned the kitchen thoroughly).

When you want to express the *ability* to clean something thoroughly, you use the potential complement. This involves inserting 得 (de) for positive or 不 (bu) for negative between '打扫' and '干净'. This is crucial for discussing difficult cleaning tasks.

Potential Complement

Structure: 打扫 + 得/不 + 干净. Example: 这块地毯太旧了，打扫不干净。 (This carpet is too old; it cannot be cleaned thoroughly.)

In passive contexts, the 被 (bèi) construction is used. This is less common in spoken Chinese but appears in writing to emphasize that the cleaning was completed. Structure: Object + 被 + (Subject) + 打扫干净了.

You can also use '打扫干净' as a predicate on its own when the object is understood from context. For example, if someone asks 'Did you finish the chores?', you can simply reply '打扫干净了' (Cleaned it thoroughly).

Combining with Adverbs

You can add adverbs like 非常 (very) or 特别 (especially) before '干净' to emphasize the degree of cleanliness: 打扫得非常干净 (Cleaned extremely thoroughly).

Lastly, remember that '打扫干净' is usually reserved for physical surfaces. If you are 'cleaning' a computer file or a database, you would use 清理 (qǐnglǐ) instead. If you are 'cleaning' your hands or face, you use 洗 (xǐ). '打扫干净' implies the use of tools like brooms, mops, or cloths on a space.

The phrase 打扫干净 is ubiquitous in Chinese-speaking environments. From the domestic sphere to public service announcements, you will encounter it daily. Understanding the specific contexts where it appears helps in grasping its cultural and social significance.

In the Home

This is the most common setting. Parents often use it as a command to children: “把你的卧室打扫干净！” (Clean your bedroom thoroughly!). It’s also used when discussing household management between spouses or roommates.

In schools across China, students are often responsible for cleaning their own classrooms. This is a practice meant to instill a sense of collective responsibility and respect for labor. You will hear teachers or student leaders saying, “值日生，请把黑板和地板都打扫干净。” (Students on duty, please clean the blackboard and floor thoroughly.)

Workplace and Public Spaces

In offices, you might see signs or hear managers reminding staff to keep their workspaces tidy. Similarly, in restaurants, a manager might tell the staff to 打扫干净 the dining area before the lunch rush.

Public service announcements and urban management slogans also use this phrase. In many Chinese cities, you’ll see slogans about 'Cleaning the City' (打扫干净城市，美化我们的家园). It reflects the government’s focus on hygiene and the 'Civilized City' (文明城市) campaigns.

In literature and media, the phrase can take on a slightly more dramatic tone. For example, in a historical drama, a general might order his troops to 打扫干净战场 (clean up the battlefield thoroughly). Here, it refers to the grim task of removing the remains of conflict, showing the term's versatility across different scales of 'cleaning'.

In Service Industries

In hotels or Airbnb listings, guests expect the room to be 打扫得干干净净 (cleaned very, very thoroughly). The reduplication of '干净' into '干干净净' adds an even stronger emphasis on the level of cleanliness.

Finally, you’ll hear it in casual conversation when someone is proud of their work. “看，我把厨房打扫得多么干净！” (Look, how clean I've made the kitchen!). It serves as a marker of accomplishment and a job well done.

While 打扫干净 seems straightforward, English speakers and even intermediate learners often stumble over its specific grammatical requirements. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound much more natural and professional.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Word Order

The most common error is saying “打扫房间干净” (Clean room clean). In English, we say 'Clean the room clean,' but in Chinese, the resultative complement 干净 must follow the verb directly, or you must use the 把 structure. Correct: 把房间打扫干净.

Another frequent mistake is confusing 打扫 (dǎsǎo) with 收拾 (shōushi). While both involve tidying up, 打扫 focuses on removing dirt, dust, and grime (sweeping, mopping), whereas 收拾 focuses on organizing items and putting things away (decluttering). Using 打扫干净 when you just mean 'organizing your toys' sounds slightly off.

Mistake 2: Overusing '打扫干净' for Everything

Don't use this phrase for personal hygiene. You don't 打扫 your hands or your face; you 洗 (xǐ) them. Similarly, for 'cleaning' a wound, you use 清洗 (qīngxǐ) or 消毒 (xiāodú).

Learners also struggle with the placement of 了 (le). Since 'cleaning thoroughly' is often a completed action, 了 is usually necessary. However, it should go at the end of the phrase: 打扫干净了, not 打扫了干净.

A subtle mistake involves the use of the potential complement. Some learners try to say “不能打扫干净” (cannot clean thoroughly) when they should use the more idiomatic “打扫不干净”. While both are grammatically possible, the latter is the standard way to express that a result cannot be achieved despite effort.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the '把' with Adverbs

If you want to say 'Clean the room very clean,' you must use '把' or the 'V+得+Adj' structure: 把房间打扫得很干净. You cannot simply stack the adjectives after the object.

Finally, be careful with the context of 'thoroughly'. In English, 'clean' can be a verb or an adjective. In Chinese, 打扫 is the action and 干净 is the state. If you just want to say 'The room is clean,' just say 房间很干净. Only use 打扫干净 when you are referring to the *process* of making it that way.

While 打扫干净 is the standard phrase for 'cleaning thoroughly,' Chinese offers several alternatives depending on the context, the degree of cleanliness, and what exactly is being cleaned. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for every situation.

打扫 vs. 收拾 (shōushi)

As mentioned before, 打扫 is for dirt and dust, while 收拾 is for organizing. If your room has clothes all over the floor but the floor itself is dust-free, you need to 收拾, not 打扫. If the items are put away but the floor is dusty, you need to 打扫.

打扫 vs. 清理 (qǐnglǐ)

清理 often implies a more comprehensive 'clearing out' or 'sorting through.' It is frequently used for cleaning out a storage room, a fridge, or even digital files. 清理干净 is more about getting rid of unwanted things than just sweeping dust.

For an even higher level of cleanliness, you might use 擦干净 (cā gānjìng), which specifically means 'to wipe clean.' This is used for tables, windows, and mirrors where a cloth is used to remove every smudge.

Specific Actions

• 洗干净 (xǐ gānjìng): To wash clean (clothes, hands, dishes).
• 刷干净 (shuā gānjìng): To scrub clean (shoes, teeth, a bathtub).
• 拖干净 (tuō gānjìng): To mop clean (floors).

In a literary or highly formal context, you might see 整洁 (zhěngjié) used as an adjective. While 打扫干净 is the action, 整洁 describes the result: 'tidy and clean'. For example, “房间被打扫得十分整洁” (The room was cleaned to a very tidy and clean state).

Comparison Table

Phrase	Focus	Best For
打扫干净	Removing dirt/dust	Rooms, floors, streets
收拾干净	Organizing items	Toys, clothes, desks
清理干净	Removal of clutter	Storage, fridge, files
洗干净	Using water/soap	Hands, dishes, clothes

Lastly, for a colloquial way to say 'clean it up completely' (often used for food or work), you might hear 扫光 (sǎoguāng), which means 'to sweep everything away' or 'to clear out.' For example, “他把盘子里的菜都扫光了” (He cleared all the food off the plate).