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A2 verb 8 min read

擦窗户

cā chuānghù

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 擦窗户 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 擦窗户 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '擦窗户' (cā chuānghu) is introduced as a basic daily activity. Learners should focus on the literal meaning: '擦' (to wipe) and '窗户' (window). At this stage, you use it in simple Subject + Verb + Object sentences like '我擦窗户' (I wipe windows). You might also learn it alongside other household chores like '扫地' (sweep the floor) or '洗碗' (wash dishes). The focus is on recognizing the characters and understanding the basic action. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just the ability to identify the chore in a list of daily tasks. It is often taught in the context of 'helping at home.'

At the A2 level, you begin to use '擦窗户' with more detail. You will learn to use the progressive marker '在' (zài) to say '我正在擦窗户' (I am currently cleaning the windows). You also start using basic measure words, like '一扇窗户' (one window). This is the level where the 'Ba' (把) construction is often introduced in its simplest form: '把窗户擦了' (Wipe the window). You should be able to describe who is cleaning, when they are cleaning (e.g., '周六下午'), and perhaps the tool being used ('用布'). You can also express basic likes or dislikes about the chore, such as '我不喜欢擦窗户' (I don't like cleaning windows).

At the B1 level, '擦窗户' is used in more complex narratives. You can describe the purpose of the action using '为了' (in order to), such as '为了新年，我们要擦窗户' (In order to prepare for the New Year, we must clean the windows). You will use resultative complements more naturally, like '擦干净' (wipe clean) or '擦亮' (wipe bright). You should be able to discuss the process: '先用湿布擦，再用干布擦' (First wipe with a wet cloth, then with a dry one). At this stage, you might also encounter the phrase in the context of school life or office duties, describing shared responsibilities and schedules.

At the B2 level, '擦窗户' can appear in more professional or specialized contexts. You might read about '高空擦窗人' (high-altitude window cleaners) and the safety regulations surrounding their work. The vocabulary expands to include technical terms like '清洁剂' (cleaning agent), '玻璃刮' (squeegee), and '安全绳' (safety rope). You can use the phrase metaphorically in discussions about clarity or 'cleaning up' one's life. You should be able to handle passive structures, such as '窗户被擦得干干净净' (The windows were wiped perfectly clean). Your ability to use adverbs to describe the manner of cleaning (e.g., '仔细地', '马马虎虎地') becomes much more refined.

At the C1 level, '擦窗户' is understood within its deep cultural and literary contexts. You might analyze a story where cleaning a window represents a character's internal change or a shift in perspective. You can discuss the environmental impact of cleaning chemicals or the socio-economic status of migrant workers who perform these jobs in large cities. The language becomes more sophisticated, using four-character idioms or formal synonyms like '擦拭' (cāshì). You can engage in debates about the tradition of '扫尘' (dusting the old) and how it persists in modern, fast-paced urban life compared to traditional rural settings.

At the C2 level, '擦窗户' is a simple concept that can be the starting point for complex philosophical or sociological discourse. You might explore the aesthetics of transparency in modern architecture and how the constant need to '擦窗户' reflects human desire for control over nature. You can appreciate the nuance in poetic descriptions of light passing through a 'freshly wiped window.' At this level, you have native-like command, allowing you to use the phrase in any register, from a casual joke about chores to a formal report on urban maintenance or a piece of creative writing that uses the act of cleaning as a central motif for clarity and truth.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

擦窗户 in 30 Seconds

A verb-object phrase meaning 'to wipe windows'.
Uses the verb '擦' (to wipe/rub) and noun '窗户' (window).
Often used with the 'Ba' construction and resultative complements.
Culturally associated with Spring Festival cleaning and household diligence.

The phrase 擦窗户 (cā chuānghu) is a common Chinese verb-object construction that literally translates to 'to wipe/clean the windows.' In the context of daily life in China, this is not just a chore but often a symbolic activity associated with renewal and clarity. The verb 擦 (cā) means to rub, wipe, or scrub, implying a manual action usually performed with a cloth or a sponge. Unlike the more general word for washing, 洗 (xǐ), which might involve buckets of water and soap, 擦 specifically highlights the friction and the act of removing dust or streaks to make a surface shine.

Daily Utility: This term is used frequently in household chores discussions, especially during the weekend or before guests arrive. It is a staple of 'spring cleaning' vocabulary.

快过年了，我们全家都在忙着擦窗户。 (The New Year is coming, and our whole family is busy cleaning the windows.)

In urban Chinese settings, where many people live in high-rise apartments, the act of 擦窗户 takes on a slightly more technical meaning. People often use long-handled magnetic cleaners (双面擦窗器) to clean the outside of the glass safely from the inside. When you hear this phrase in a professional context, it might refer to the 'spidermen' (蜘蛛人) who rappel down skyscrapers to clean the glass facades of office buildings. Furthermore, the term is often used in school settings where students participate in 'Labor Education' (劳动教育) and are assigned to clean their classrooms, including the windows.

Grammatical Structure: It follows the Verb + Object pattern. You can insert adjectives or complements between them, such as 擦亮窗户 (wipe the window bright/clean).

他把窗户擦得非常干净。 (He wiped the windows very clean.)

Culturally, 擦窗户 is most significant during the 'Dusting of the Old' (扫尘) tradition before the Lunar New Year. Cleaning the windows is seen as removing the 'dust' of the previous year's misfortunes to allow new luck and light to enter the home. Therefore, the phrase is deeply tied to the concepts of hospitality and auspicious beginnings. In modern slang or metaphorical use, one might say 'wipe your eyes' (擦亮眼睛) which uses the same verb to mean staying alert or seeing the truth, though '擦窗户' itself remains mostly literal.

Using 擦窗户 correctly involves understanding the 'Ba' (把) construction and resultative complements. Because cleaning a window is an action that changes the state of an object (from dirty to clean), Chinese speakers almost always use a complement to describe the result. For example, '擦干净' (wipe clean) or '擦亮' (wipe bright) are much more common than simply saying '擦窗户' in isolation when describing a completed task.

The 'Ba' Construction: Subject + 把 + 窗户 + 擦 + Resultative Complement. This is the most natural way to express the command or the completed action.

请你把那扇窗户擦一下。 (Please wipe that window for a bit.)

When discussing the frequency or the habit of cleaning, you can use the phrase as a standard verb-object. For instance, '我每个月擦一次窗户' (I clean the windows once a month). In this case, the duration or frequency goes between the verb and the object. If you are describing an ongoing action, you would add the progressive marker '在' (zài) or '正在' (zhèngzài).

Negative Forms: Use '没' for past actions (我没擦窗户) and '不' for future or habitual refusal (我不擦窗户).

窗户太高了，我擦不到。 (The window is too high; I can't reach to wipe it.)

In more complex sentences, you might describe the tools used. For example, '用抹布擦窗户' (using a rag to wipe windows). This follows the 'Instrument + Action' pattern common in Mandarin. You can also specify which side of the window you are cleaning: '擦窗户外面' (cleaning the outside of the window). This is particularly important in apartment living where the exterior is difficult to access.

You will encounter 擦窗户 in various real-life scenarios in China. The most common is within the family home. Parents often tell their children to help with chores: '去把窗户擦了' (Go wipe the windows). During the Chinese New Year preparation, the phrase is ubiquitous. It’s part of the 'Major Cleaning' (大扫除) culture where every corner of the house must be spotless to welcome the God of Wealth.

In Schools: Chinese students are responsible for the cleanliness of their classrooms. You will hear teachers assigning '擦窗户' duties to specific rows of students during Friday afternoon cleaning sessions.

今天轮到你擦窗户了，别忘了带抹布。 (It's your turn to clean the windows today; don't forget to bring a rag.)

Another place you'll hear this is in the service industry. If you hire a 'Housekeeping Auntie' (保洁阿姨), she might ask '需要擦窗户吗？' (Do you need the windows wiped?). In commercial settings, property management (物业) might post notices about '外墙擦窗户' (exterior wall window cleaning) to warn residents not to open their windows or hang laundry outside while the professional cleaners are working.

In Media: In TV dramas or movies, a character cleaning windows often signifies they are deep in thought, trying to clear their mind, or preparing for a big life change.

那个擦窗户的工人真辛苦。 (That worker cleaning windows is really working hard.)

Finally, in the context of urban safety, you might hear warnings about '擦窗户安全' (window cleaning safety). Because many Chinese apartments are very high up, there are frequent public service announcements about the dangers of leaning out too far while cleaning. This has led to the popularity of robotic window cleaners, which are now a common topic of conversation in tech-savvy Chinese households.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using the wrong verb for 'cleaning.' In English, we 'clean' everything—our room, our windows, our car. In Chinese, 'clean' is subdivided. If you say '洗窗户' (xǐ chuānghu), it sounds like you are hosing down the window with a large amount of water, which is rarely done in apartments. 擦窗户 is the correct term for the standard action of wiping glass.

Mistake 1: Confusing 擦 (cā) with 洗 (xǐ): Use 擦 for friction and wiping; use 洗 for washing with water (like clothes or dishes).

Incorrect: 我在洗窗户。 (I am washing the windows.)
Correct: 我在擦窗户。 (I am wiping/cleaning the windows.)

Another error is forgetting the resultative complement. In Chinese, if you want to say 'I cleaned the window' (meaning it is now clean), you cannot just say '我擦了窗户.' While grammatically possible, it sounds incomplete to a native ear. You should say '我把窗户擦干净了.' The addition of '干净' (clean) or '亮' (bright) completes the logic of the action.

Mistake 2: Word Order with 'Ba': Many learners put the object after the verb in a resultative sentence. Incorrect: '我擦干净窗户了.' Correct: '我把窗户擦干净了.'

不要用脏布擦窗户。 (Don't use a dirty rag to wipe the windows.)

Finally, learners sometimes confuse '擦' (cā) with '刷' (shuā - to brush). You '刷' your teeth or '刷' a wall (paint), but you '擦' a window. Using '刷窗户' would imply you are using a stiff brush, which would likely scratch the glass. Precision in choosing the verb based on the tool and the surface is key to sounding natural in Mandarin.

While 擦窗户 is the most common term, there are several related words that you might use depending on the context of cleaning. Understanding the nuances between these can help you describe household chores more accurately. For example, if you are doing a deep clean of the entire house, you might use '大扫除' (dà sǎochú), which encompasses cleaning windows, floors, and furniture.

擦 (cā) vs. 抹 (mā): '擦' involves more pressure and friction. '抹' is a lighter, swiping motion. You '擦' a dirty window, but you might '抹' a table to remove a bit of dust.
打扫 (dǎsǎo): This is the general term for 'to clean' or 'to sweep.' You can say '打扫房间' (clean the room), which includes the act of cleaning windows.

比起擦窗户，我更喜欢扫地。 (Compared to wiping windows, I prefer sweeping the floor.)

If the windows are extremely dirty and require water and soap, you might use '清洗' (qīngxǐ), which is a more formal and thorough term for 'washing/cleaning.' This is often used by professional cleaning companies. For the act of making something shine, '擦亮' (cāliàng) is an excellent alternative that focuses on the result rather than just the process.

Other 'Wipe' Actions: 擦桌子 (wipe the table), 擦地板 (wipe/mop the floor), 擦汗 (wipe sweat), 擦眼泪 (wipe tears).

她正在用专业的清洁剂擦窗户。 (She is cleaning the windows with a professional cleaning agent.)

In summary, while '擦窗户' is your go-to phrase for window cleaning, remember that Chinese verbs are very specific about the 'how' of the action. If you are just dusting, use '掸' (dǎn); if you are washing with water, use '洗' (xǐ); if you are scrubbing a stain, use '抠' (kōu) or '刷' (shuā). Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, windows were made of paper (纸窗). You couldn't '擦' (wipe) them with water or you'd tear them! You had to '换' (change) the paper once a year, usually before the New Year. The phrase '擦窗户' only became common after glass windows were introduced.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tsʰá tʂwáŋ.xu/

US /tsʰá tʂwáŋ.xu/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'cā', with 'chuāng' following closely.

Rhymes With

妈 (mā) 花 (huā) 刷 (shuā) 茶 (chá) 家 (jiā) 虾 (xiā) 它 (tā) 卡 (kǎ)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'cā' as 'chā' (mixing up ts and tsh).
Failing to aspirate the 'c'.
Giving 'hu' a full fourth tone instead of a neutral one.
Mispronouncing 'chuāng' as 'chuáng' (confusing 1st and 2nd tones).
Omitting the nasal 'ng' ending in 'chuāng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are common, but '擦' has many strokes.

Writing 3/5

Writing '擦' and '窗户' requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if you master the 'ts' sound.

Listening 1/5

Very common phrase, easily recognizable in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

手 (hand) 水 (water) 洗 (wash) 家 (home) 布 (cloth)

Learn Next

打扫 (clean) 大扫除 (spring cleaning) 干净 (clean - adj) 亮 (bright) 玻璃 (glass)

Advanced

擦拭 (wipe - formal) 尘埃 (dust - formal) 透明 (transparent) 反光 (reflect light) 高空作业 (high-altitude work)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

擦干净 (wipe clean), 擦亮 (wipe bright).

Ba Construction

把窗户擦了。

Verb Reduplication

擦擦窗户 (wipe windows a bit).

Directional Complements

擦掉灰尘 (wipe off dust).

Potential Complements

擦得着 (can reach to wipe), 擦不着 (cannot reach).

Examples by Level

我擦窗户。

I wipe the window.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object.

妈妈在擦窗户。

Mom is wiping the window.

Using '在' for ongoing action.

他不擦窗户。

He doesn't wipe the windows.

Negative '不' for habit.

你会擦窗户吗？

Can you wipe windows?

Question with '吗'.

窗户很大。

The window is very big.

Adjective '大' describing the object.

我们要擦窗户。

We need to wipe the windows.

Modal verb '要' for necessity.

这是擦窗户的布。

This is the cloth for wiping windows.

Attributive phrase with '的'.

他在家擦窗户。

He is wiping windows at home.

Locative phrase '在家'.

我正在忙着擦窗户呢。

I am busy wiping the windows right now.

Ongoing action with '正在...呢'.

请把窗户擦一下。

Please wipe the window for a moment.

Ba construction + '一下' for brief action.

他擦窗户擦得很干净。

He wipes the windows very clean.

Verb reduplication for degree complement.

我昨天没擦窗户。

I didn't wipe the windows yesterday.

Past negation with '没'.

这扇窗户很难擦。

This window is hard to wipe.

Adjective '难' + verb.

你擦窗户的时候要小心。

Be careful when you are wiping the windows.

...的时候 (when...).

我用报纸擦窗户。

I use newspaper to wipe the windows.

Instrumental '用'.

姐姐帮我擦窗户。

Older sister helped me wipe the windows.

Benefactive '帮'.

为了迎接新年，全家人都要擦窗户。

In order to welcome the New Year, the whole family must clean the windows.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

窗户太高了，我擦不到外面。

The window is too high; I can't reach to wipe the outside.

Potential complement '擦不到'.

他一边听音乐，一边擦窗户。

He wipes the windows while listening to music.

Simultaneous actions '一边...一边'.

虽然很累，但他还是把窗户擦完了。

Although he was tired, he still finished wiping the windows.

Concession clause '虽然...还是'.

你应该把窗户擦得像镜子一样亮。

You should wipe the window as bright as a mirror.

Comparison '像...一样'.

如果明天不下雨，我就擦窗户。

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I will wipe the windows.

Conditional '如果...就'.

擦窗户其实是一项很好的运动。

Actually, wiping windows is a very good exercise.

Gerund-like use of '擦窗户' as a subject.

除了擦窗户，我还要扫地。

Besides wiping windows, I also need to sweep the floor.

Addition '除了...还要'.

那个高空擦窗户的工人没有任何保护措施，太危险了。

That high-altitude window cleaner has no protective measures; it's too dangerous.

Complex attribute '高空擦窗户的'.

既然窗户这么脏，我们就动手擦擦吧。

Since the windows are so dirty, let's start wiping them.

Causal '既然...就'.

他把窗户擦得干干净净，一点灰尘都没有。

He wiped the windows perfectly clean, without a speck of dust.

AABB reduplication of '干净'.

由于没擦窗户，房间里显得很暗。

Because the windows weren't wiped, the room appeared very dark.

Causal '由于'.

他竟然花了三个小时来擦窗户。

He unexpectedly spent three hours cleaning the windows.

Adverb '竟然' for surprise.

这种清洁剂专门用来擦窗户上的油渍。

This cleaning agent is specifically used for wiping grease off windows.

Passive-like '用来'.

哪怕是擦窗户这样的小事，他都做得很认真。

Even for a small task like wiping windows, he does it very seriously.

Emphasis '哪怕...都'.

物业通知明天有人来擦外墙的窗户。

The property management notified that someone is coming to wipe the exterior windows tomorrow.

Indirect speech/Notification.

在繁华的都市里，擦窗户的工人像蜘蛛一样在楼宇间穿行。

In the bustling city, window cleaners move between buildings like spiders.

Simile and poetic imagery.

通过擦窗户这个简单的行为，他仿佛擦亮了自己的心窗。

Through the simple act of wiping windows, he seemed to have brightened the window to his own heart.

Metaphorical extension.

他一边擦窗户，一边反思着自己过去一年的得失。

While wiping the windows, he reflected on his gains and losses over the past year.

Abstract reflection during a physical task.

擦窗户虽然看似琐碎，却是维持家居美感不可或缺的一环。

Although wiping windows seems trivial, it is an indispensable part of maintaining home aesthetics.

Formal structure '看似...却是'.

他那双常年擦窗户的手，布满了厚厚的老茧。

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

Descriptive attribute with '常年'.

在这个雾霾严重的城市，擦窗户变成了一项徒劳的工作。

In this city with severe smog, wiping windows has become a futile task.

Social commentary.

与其说是擦窗户，不如说是他在寻找一种心理上的秩序感。

It's not so much that he's wiping windows as it is that he's looking for a psychological sense of order.

Comparative structure '与其说是...不如说是'.

阳光透过刚擦过的窗户洒进来，屋子里顿时充满了生机。

Sunlight poured in through the freshly wiped window, and the room was suddenly full of life.

Sensory description.

那些悬挂在百米高空的擦窗工，是现代城市丛林里的无名英雄。

Those window cleaners suspended a hundred meters in the air are the unsung heroes of the modern urban jungle.

Sophisticated noun phrases and metaphors.

他机械地重复着擦窗户的动作，意识却早已飘向了远方。

He mechanically repeated the motion of wiping the window, but his consciousness had long since drifted far away.

Contrast between physical action and mental state.

擦窗户不仅是物理层面的除尘，更是对生活态度的一种洗礼。

Wiping windows is not only the removal of dust on a physical level, but also a baptism of one's attitude toward life.

Philosophical '不仅是...更是'.

窗户被擦得如此透亮，以至于飞鸟常因误判而撞击其上。

The windows were wiped so transparently that birds often hit them due to misjudgment.

Resultative clause '如此...以至于'.

在老舍的笔下，擦窗户这类琐事也蕴含着浓厚的人间烟火气。

In Lao She's writings, even trivial matters like wiping windows contain a strong sense of everyday life.

Literary reference.

随着智能机器人的普及，亲手擦窗户或许将成为一种怀旧的仪式。

With the popularization of intelligent robots, wiping windows by hand might become a nostalgic ritual.

Speculative future tense.

他凝视着自己映在刚擦好的窗户上的倒影，陷入了沉思。

He stared at his reflection in the freshly cleaned window and fell into deep thought.

Participial-like attribute '刚擦好的'.

即便是在最困顿的岁月，她也会把窗户擦得明亮，守住最后的体面。

Even in the most difficult years, she would wipe the windows bright to maintain her final shred of dignity.

Complex conditional and emotive language.

Common Collocations

用布擦窗户

把窗户擦干净

定期擦窗户

高空擦窗户

帮妈妈擦窗户

没时间擦窗户

拒绝擦窗户

专业擦窗户

用报纸擦窗户

擦窗户机器人

Common Phrases

擦亮窗户，迎接新年

— A common saying before the Lunar New Year. It means to clean up for a fresh start.

大家都在忙着擦亮窗户，迎接新年。

擦窗户的蜘蛛人

— Refers to skyscraper window cleaners who hang from ropes. It is a common nickname.

看，外面的擦窗户的蜘蛛人好勇敢。

轮流擦窗户

— To take turns cleaning windows. Common in shared living or schools.

我们寝室四个同学轮流擦窗户。

擦窗户的神器

— A slang term for a very effective window cleaning tool. '神器' means 'god-like tool'.

这个双面擦是擦窗户的神器。

擦窗户的安全绳

— Refers to the safety rope used by professionals. It emphasizes safety.

擦窗户的安全绳一定要检查好。

擦窗户的死角

— The hard-to-reach corners of a window. '死角' means 'dead angle'.

别忘了擦窗户的死角。

擦窗户水

— Colloquial term for glass cleaning solution.

擦窗户水用完了，去买一瓶。

擦窗户的抹布

— The specific rag used for windows. Usually microfiber.

这块擦窗户的抹布不掉毛。

擦窗户的姿势

— The posture one takes when cleaning. Can be used humorously.

你这擦窗户的姿势挺专业的。

擦窗户的高峰期

— The peak season for window cleaning (usually before New Year).

年底是擦窗户的高峰期。

Often Confused With

擦窗户 vs 洗窗户

Implies using lots of water, like a hose.

擦窗户 vs 刷窗户

Implies using a brush, which might scratch glass.

擦窗户 vs 擦桌子

Wiping a table, same verb but different object.

Idioms & Expressions

"擦亮眼睛"

— Literally 'wipe your eyes bright.' It means to be vigilant or to see through a deception.

在签合同之前，一定要擦亮眼睛。

Common Metaphor

"窗明几净"

— Literally 'windows are bright and the table is clean.' Describes a very tidy and well-lit room.

他的书房总是窗明几净。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"一尘不染"

— Not a speck of dust. Often the result of '擦窗户'.

他把房间擦得一尘不染。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"焕然一新"

— To take on an entirely new look. Used after a big cleaning session.

擦完窗户后，家里焕然一新。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"明察秋毫"

— To see things clearly (like a clean window). To be very perceptive.

由于他明察秋毫，很快发现了问题。

Literary

"拭目以待"

— To wipe one's eyes and wait. To wait and see the outcome with great interest.

我们对他的表现拭目以待。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"干干净净"

— Very, very clean. The standard goal for window cleaning.

窗户被擦得干干净净。

Colloquial

"小心翼翼"

— With great care. How one should '擦窗户' on a high floor.

他小心翼翼地擦着窗户外面。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"任劳任怨"

— To work hard without complaint. Often used to describe someone cleaning.

他总是任劳任怨地擦窗户。

Chengyu (Idiom)

"井井有条"

— In perfect order. The state of a house after 擦窗户 and other chores.

家务活被她安排得井井有条。

Chengyu (Idiom)

Easily Confused

擦窗户 vs 擦

Means both wipe and rub.

In '擦窗户', it's wiping. In '擦火柴', it's striking/rubbing.

他在擦火柴。

擦窗户 vs 洗

Both involve cleaning.

洗 uses immersion or flowing water; 擦 uses friction with a cloth.

洗衣服 vs 擦窗户。

擦窗户 vs 扫

General cleaning.

扫 is for floors (sweeping); 擦 is for surfaces (wiping).

扫地 vs 擦窗户。

擦窗户 vs 抹

Very similar meaning to 擦.

抹 is a lighter, broader stroke; 擦 is more focused and forceful.

抹桌子 vs 擦窗户。

擦窗户 vs 刷

Tool-based cleaning.

刷 uses a brush; 擦 uses a cloth/sponge.

刷牙 vs 擦窗户。

Sentence Patterns

S + V + O

我擦窗户。

S + 正在 + V + O

他正在擦窗户。

把 + O + V + complement

把窗户擦干净。

用 + Tool + V + O

用报纸擦窗户。

V + Duration + O

擦了一下午窗户。

O + 被 + V + complement

窗户被擦得亮亮的。

与其...不如...

与其擦窗户，不如换个新的。

Poetic Description

透过刚擦过的窗户，夕阳如金。

Word Family

Nouns

窗户 (window)

窗帘 (curtain)

窗台 (windowsill)

玻璃 (glass)

抹布 (rag)

Verbs

擦 (to wipe)

擦拭 (to wipe clean)

擦亮 (to polish/brighten)

擦掉 (to wipe off)

擦破 (to scrape/break by rubbing)

Adjectives

明亮的 (bright)

干净的 (clean)

透明的 (transparent)

模糊的 (blurry/dirty)

透亮的 (shining through)

打扫 (clean)

卫生 (hygiene)

尘土 (dust)

清洁剂 (detergent)

梯子 (ladder)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life and household contexts.

Common Mistakes

我洗窗户。 → 我擦窗户。
Windows are usually wiped, not washed with buckets of water in Chinese homes.
我擦干净了窗户。 → 我把窗户擦干净了。
The 'Ba' construction is preferred when a result (干净) is achieved.
他正在刷窗户。 → 他正在擦窗户。
Don't use '刷' (brush) unless you are literally using a brush.
我擦窗户了两个小时。 → 我擦了两个小时窗户。
Duration should go between the verb and the object.
这是洗窗户的布。 → 这是擦窗户的布。
Consistency in using the verb '擦' for tools associated with it.

Tips

Use the Result

Always try to add '干净' after '擦' to show you did a good job. It makes you sound like a native speaker.

New Year Tradition

Mentioning '擦窗户' around January or February will immediately make Chinese friends think of Spring Festival preparations.

The Newspaper Trick

If you want to sound very 'local', mention using '报纸' to wipe the windows. It's a classic Chinese household tip.

High-Rise Safety

In China, '擦窗户' often involves discussions about safety. Words like '安全绳' (safety rope) are good to know.

Glass focus

Sometimes people say '擦玻璃' (wipe glass) instead. They are interchangeable in most home contexts.

The Hand Radical

Notice the 扌 radical. Anything with this usually involves a hand action. This helps you remember '擦' is manual.

Robots

Modern families often talk about '擦窗机器人'. It's a great conversation topic for modern life in China.

School Life

If you are a student in China, '擦窗户' is a common part of your 'duty day' (值日).

First Tone

Keep 'cā' high and flat. Don't let it drop like 'cà', which would sound like a different word.

Cā vs Mā

If you want to sound more like a Beijinger, you can sometimes use '抹' (mā) for light cleaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'C' in 'Cā' as 'Clean' and the 'A' as 'Action'. Cā is the Clean-Action of wiping. For 'Chuānghu', imagine a 'Strong' (Chuāng) 'House' (Hu) needs clean windows.

Visual Association

Visualize a hand (扌) holding a cloth, carefully examining (察) the glass for spots. That's the character 擦!

Word Web

擦 (Wipe) 窗户 (Window) 玻璃 (Glass) 抹布 (Rag) 水 (Water) 干净 (Clean) 亮 (Bright) 高 (High)

Challenge

Try to say 'I am wiping the window' in Chinese every time you see a dirty glass surface today. (我在擦窗户).

Word Origin

The character 擦 (cā) is a relatively modern phono-semantic compound. The radical 扌 (hand) indicates the action, while 察 (chá - to examine) provides the sound and hints at the careful nature of the action. 窗户 (chuānghu) combines 'window' and 'door', reflecting ancient architecture where windows were often small doors in walls.

Original meaning: To rub or wipe with the hand or a tool.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'spider-men' cleaners; acknowledge the danger and low pay often associated with this high-risk job in urban centers.

In the West, window cleaning is often seen as a professional service (window washers), whereas in China, it is very much a DIY family activity.

The song 'Labor is Most Glorious' (劳动最光荣) mentions cleaning activities. Traditional New Year paintings often depict families cleaning windows. Modern Chinese vlogs often feature 'satisfying' window cleaning as a form of ASMR.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Spring Cleaning

大扫除
擦窗户
除尘
焕然一新

School Chores

值日生
擦黑板
擦窗户
打扫卫生

Hiring a Cleaner

小时工
保洁
擦窗户多少钱？
擦得干净

Safety Warnings

注意安全
别探出身去
安全绳
小心掉落

Home Maintenance

密封条
擦窗户水
玻璃刮
纱窗

Conversation Starters

"你家多久擦一次窗户？ (How often does your family clean windows?)"

"你觉得擦窗户累吗？ (Do you think cleaning windows is tiring?)"

"擦窗户的时候，你喜欢用什么工具？ (What tools do you like to use when cleaning windows?)"

"过年的时候，你会帮家里擦窗户吗？ (Will you help clean windows at home during the New Year?)"

"你见过高楼大厦外面擦窗户的人吗？ (Have you seen people cleaning windows outside skyscrapers?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你帮家里擦窗户的经历。 (Describe a time you helped clean windows at home.)

为什么中国人过年前要擦窗户？谈谈你的看法。 (Why do Chinese people clean windows before New Year? Give your opinion.)

如果你有一个擦窗户机器人，你的生活会有什么变化？ (If you had a window cleaning robot, how would your life change?)

想象你是高空擦窗工人，写下你的一天。 (Imagine you are a high-altitude window cleaner; write about your day.)

从擦窗户这件事中，你学到了什么生活道理？ (What life lesson did you learn from wiping windows?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but only if you are literally washing them with a hose or large amounts of water. For standard cleaning with a cloth, '擦' is much more natural.

You can also say '窗' (chuāng) or '玻璃' (bōli - glass). '擦玻璃' is very common.

The most common measure word is '扇' (shàn), e.g., 一扇窗户.

You can say '擦窗工' (cāchuāng gōng) or '保洁员' (bǎojié yuán).

It is called '玻璃清洁剂' (bōli qīngjié jì) or colloquially '擦窗水'.

In China, many people use magnetic cleaners that clean both sides from the inside to stay safe.

Chinese tradition says the ink and paper texture absorb oil and leave no streaks on glass.

Before the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) during the 'Major Cleaning'.

Yes! 擦汗 (wipe sweat), 擦地 (wipe floor), 擦脸 (wipe face).

Say '我擦完了' or '我把窗户擦干净了'.