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B1 verb #1,800 most common 6 min read

整理

zhengli Top 1,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 整理 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 整理 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '整理' (zhěnglǐ) is introduced as a simple action verb for daily life. Students learn it primarily in the context of '整理房间' (tidying a room) or '整理书包' (organizing a schoolbag). The focus is on the physical movement of objects to make a space look neat. At this stage, learners should understand that '整理' is something you do when things are messy. It is often paired with '一下' (yīxià) to mean 'to tidy up a bit.' For example, '请整理一下你的桌子' (Please tidy up your desk a bit). The grammar is straightforward: Subject + 整理 + Object. A1 learners might confuse it with '打扫' (to sweep/clean), so teachers emphasize that '整理' is about putting things in their places, not necessarily using soap and water. It's a very practical word for classroom and home environments.

At the A2 level, the use of '整理' expands to include more varied physical objects and the beginning of the '把' (bǎ) construction. Learners start to use it for '整理衣服' (organizing clothes) or '整理行李' (packing/organizing luggage). The concept of 'order' becomes more prominent. A2 students learn that '整理' implies a result of being '整齐' (zhěngqí - neat/orderly). They might encounter sentences like '他把书整理得很整齐' (He organized the books very neatly). The word also begins to appear in office contexts, such as '整理文件' (organizing documents). At this level, the distinction between '整理' and '收拾' (shōushi) starts to become relevant, with '整理' being slightly more formal and focused on the logical arrangement of items.

At the B1 level (the target level for this word), '整理' moves beyond the physical world into the abstract and cognitive realms. Learners are expected to use '整理' for information and thoughts. Phrases like '整理思路' (organize one's thoughts) or '整理资料' (organize data/materials) become common. B1 students should understand that '整理' involves a process of selection and categorization. For instance, when writing an essay, one must '整理素材' (organize source materials). The grammar becomes more complex, involving resultative complements like '整理好' (finished organizing) or '整理清楚' (organized clearly). B1 learners also see '整理' in digital contexts, such as '整理文件夹' (organizing computer folders). It is a key word for describing work processes and study habits.

At the B2 level, '整理' is used in more professional and specialized contexts. It appears in discussions about '整理数据' (organizing/cleaning data) in science or business. The word takes on a nuance of 'systematization.' B2 learners might encounter it in literature or news reports describing the '整理' of historical records or legal codes. The focus shifts to the methodology of organization. For example, '整理古籍' (collating ancient books) implies a scholarly rigor. B2 students are also expected to use '整理' in more sophisticated sentence structures, such as using it as a noun-like gerund in the subject position: '整理这些复杂的资料需要很多时间' (Organizing these complex materials requires a lot of time). They also learn related formal terms like '整顿' (rectify) and '治理' (govern) to distinguish them from '整理'.

At the C1 level, '整理' is understood in its most nuanced and metaphorical senses. It is used in psychological and philosophical discussions about '整理人生' (organizing/reflecting on one's life) or '整理情感' (sorting out emotions). C1 learners recognize '整理' as a tool for critical thinking—the act of distilling essence from chaos. In academic writing, '整理' is used to describe the synthesis of various theories or the collation of disparate evidence. The word is often found in the prefaces of books, where authors '整理' their years of research into a coherent volume. C1 students can use '整理' to describe complex systemic changes, such as '整理市场秩序' (organizing/regulating market order), where it overlaps with concepts of regulation and standardization.

At the C2 level, '整理' is a versatile tool for high-level discourse. It is used to describe the grand synthesis of cultural or historical movements. A C2 speaker might discuss the '整理' of a nation's cultural heritage or the '整理' of a complex legal system over centuries. The word carries a weight of preservation and structural integrity. In this stage, '整理' is often paired with classical or highly formal vocabulary. For example, '梳理与整理' (combing and organizing) might be used to describe a deep dive into the historical evolution of a concept. C2 learners appreciate the etymological roots of the word—how the '理' (logic/reason) is applied to the '整' (totality)—and can use it to describe the act of bringing cosmic or social order out of primordial or social chaos.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

整理 in 30 Seconds

整理 (zhěnglǐ) is a versatile verb meaning to tidy, organize, or arrange things systematically, applicable to both physical objects and abstract concepts like thoughts.
It is commonly used in daily life for chores (tidying rooms), in offices for data management (sorting files), and in academic settings for research (collating texts).
Grammatically, it often appears in '把' sentences or with complements like '一下' or '好', emphasizing the transition from a messy state to an orderly one.
Unlike '打扫' (cleaning dirt), '整理' focuses on the logical placement and categorization of items, making it essential for describing efficient work and study habits.

The Chinese verb 整理 (zhěnglǐ) is a foundational term that bridges the gap between physical labor and cognitive processing. At its core, it signifies the act of taking a chaotic or disorganized state and imposing a logical, aesthetic, or functional order upon it. Whether you are folding clothes, sorting through a massive database, or trying to make sense of your own complicated emotions, you are engaging in the act of 整理. The word is composed of two characters: zhěng (整), meaning whole, complete, or orderly, and lǐ (理), which refers to logic, reason, or the grain in wood/jade. Together, they imply a process of returning something to its 'correct' or 'natural' state of order.

Physical Tidying: This is the most common usage for beginners. It refers to cleaning a room, straightening a desk, or packing a suitcase. It implies that the items are already there, but they are not in their proper places.

他在房间里整理旧书，准备把它们捐出去。(He is organizing old books in the room, preparing to donate them.)

Data and Information: In a professional context, 整理 refers to the systematic arrangement of data, files, or research notes. It is the process of 'cleaning' data or 'compiling' reports into a readable format.

我们需要花点时间整理一下会议记录。(We need to spend some time organizing the meeting minutes.)

Mental and Emotional State: Metaphorically, it describes the act of 'sorting out' one's thoughts or feelings. When life feels overwhelming, one might need to '整理思路' (organize one's train of thought).

心情不好的时候，我喜欢通过写日记来整理情绪。(When I'm in a bad mood, I like to organize my emotions by writing in a journal.)

这篇论文需要重新整理逻辑结构。(This thesis needs its logical structure reorganized.)

把头发整理好再出门。(Tidy up your hair before going out.)

Using 整理 correctly involves understanding its grammatical flexibility as a transitive verb. It almost always requires a direct object—the thing being put in order. However, the nature of that object dictates the 'flavor' of the action. In Chinese grammar, it is frequently followed by the complement '一下' (yīxià) to indicate a brief or casual action, or '好' (hǎo) to indicate the successful completion of the task.

Structure: Verb + Noun: The most basic form: 整理 + [Room/Books/Files/Thoughts]. This is a direct command or statement of action.

请整理你的书桌。(Please organize your desk.)

The 'Ba' Construction: Because 整理 involves a change in the state of an object (from messy to tidy), it is perfectly suited for the 把 (bǎ) sentence structure. 把 [Object] 整理 [Result].

把这些资料整理成一个表格。(Organize these materials into a table.)

Abstract Application: When dealing with non-physical things like '思路' (train of thought) or '心情' (mood), 整理 implies a period of reflection and prioritization.

我需要静下来整理一下思路。(I need to quiet down and organize my thoughts.)

他在整理行李箱。(He is packing/organizing his suitcase.)

把衣服整理整齐。(Arrange the clothes neatly.)

The word 整理 is ubiquitous in Chinese life, appearing in domestic, academic, and professional spheres. Its frequency increases as one moves from basic survival Chinese to more structured environments. In a household, a parent might tell a child to 整理 their room. In an office, a manager might ask an assistant to 整理 the files from the last quarter. In a library, signs might remind patrons to 整理 the books they've used.

At the Office: You will hear this constantly during project wrap-ups or before big meetings. It refers to the preparation of documents and data.

请在下班前把客户资料整理好。(Please organize the customer data before leaving work.)

In Academic Research: Scholars use 整理 to describe the painstaking process of cataloging artifacts or cross-referencing ancient manuscripts.

教授正在整理他过去十年的研究成果。(The professor is organizing his research results from the past ten years.)

Personal Development: In the context of 'self-help' or psychology, it refers to internal clarity.

旅行是一个整理自我、重新出发的过程。(Traveling is a process of organizing oneself and starting anew.)

请把这些杂物整理到箱子里。(Please organize these sundries into the box.)

他在电脑上整理照片。(He is organizing photos on the computer.)

While 整理 is a versatile word, learners often confuse it with other 'cleaning' or 'fixing' verbs. The most common error is using it interchangeably with 打扫 (dǎsǎo) or 修理 (xiūlǐ). Understanding the nuance of 'order' versus 'cleanliness' or 'functionality' is key to sounding like a native speaker.

整理 vs. 打扫 (dǎsǎo): '打扫' means to sweep, mop, or dust. It's about hygiene. '整理' is about organization. You can '打扫' a floor, but you '整理' a bookshelf. If you say '整理地板' (organize the floor), it sounds like you are moving the floorboards around!

错误：我要整理地上的灰尘。(Wrong: I want to organize the dust on the floor.)
正确：我要打扫地上的灰尘。(Right: I want to sweep the dust on the floor.)

整理 vs. 修理 (xiūlǐ): '修理' means to repair something that is broken. '整理' means to arrange something that is messy. If your computer is broken, you '修理' it. If your files are a mess, you '整理' them.

整理 vs. 收拾 (shōushi): These are very close. However, '收拾' is more colloquial and can include 'cleaning' and 'packing' and even 'punishing'. '整理' is more formal and strictly implies logical order.

他在整理房间里的旧报纸。(He is organizing the old newspapers in the room.)

别忘了整理你的发型。(Don't forget to tidy up your hairstyle.)

我需要重新整理这些文件夹。(I need to reorganize these folders.)

To truly master 整理, you must see how it sits within a family of related concepts. Chinese has many words for 'ordering' and 'managing,' each with a specific domain.

安排 (ānpái) - To Arrange/Schedule: While '整理' deals with existing mess, '安排' deals with future plans or the placement of people. You '安排' a meeting, but you '整理' the notes from that meeting.

整顿 (zhěngdùn) - To Rectify/Consolidate: This is a much more formal and 'heavy' word. It's often used by governments or large corporations to 'clean up' corruption or reorganize a failing department. You '整理' your desk, but the CEO '整顿' the company.

公司正在整顿内部纪律。(The company is rectifying internal discipline.)

治理 (zhìlǐ) - To Govern/Administer: Used for large-scale management, like governing a country or managing a river's pollution. It implies a long-term, systemic approach.

梳理 (shūlǐ) - To Comb/Unravel: Literally to comb hair, but often used metaphorically for 'sorting out' complex logic or historical events. It's more delicate than '整理'.

我们需要梳理一下这个项目的历史背景。(We need to comb through the historical background of this project.)

把书架上的书整理整齐。(Arrange the books on the shelf neatly.)

他在整理实验室的器材。(He is organizing the equipment in the laboratory.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

The '把' Construction

Resultative Complements

Verb Reduplication (整理整理)

Aspect Markers (了, 过, 着)

Examples by Level

请整理你的房间。

Please organize your room.

Simple Verb + Object structure.

他在整理书包。

He is organizing his schoolbag.

Present continuous action.

我要整理一下桌子。

I need to tidy up the table a bit.

Use of '一下' for brief action.

妹妹在整理玩具。

Little sister is organizing toys.

Subject + 在 + Verb + Object.

妈妈帮我整理衣服。

Mom helps me organize clothes.

帮 (help) construction.

书架整理好了吗？

Is the bookshelf organized?

Resultative complement '好了'.

我们一起整理教室吧。

Let's organize the classroom together.

Suggestion particle '吧'.

我不喜欢整理房间。

I don't like tidying the room.

Negative '不喜欢'.

把这些书整理整齐。

Organize these books neatly.

把 construction with resultative '整齐'.

他正在整理行李箱。

He is currently organizing his suitcase.

正在 for ongoing action.

我们需要整理一下旧报纸。

We need to organize the old newspapers.

Noun phrase '旧报纸'.

姐姐把衣服整理在柜子里。

Older sister organized the clothes in the closet.

Prepositional phrase '在...里'.

请把你的东西整理好。

Please organize your things well.

把 + Object + Verb + Result.

他在整理他的照片集。

He is organizing his photo collection.

Possessive '他的'.

整理家务很辛苦。

Organizing housework is very hard.

Verb phrase as subject.

你整理过你的电脑吗？

Have you ever organized your computer?

Aspect marker '过' for experience.

写文章前要先整理思路。

Before writing an article, you must first organize your thoughts.

Abstract object '思路'.

她在整理会议的记录。

She is organizing the minutes of the meeting.

Professional context.

我需要整理一下这些复杂的资料。

I need to organize these complex materials.

Adjective '复杂的' modifying the object.

通过整理笔记，我复习了功课。

By organizing notes, I reviewed my lessons.

通过 (by/through) construction.

他花了一个下午整理硬盘。

He spent an afternoon organizing his hard drive.

Time duration construction.

整理情绪对心理健康很重要。

Organizing emotions is important for mental health.

Psychological usage.

请把这些客户的信息整理成表格。

Please organize this customer information into a table.

整理成 (organize into) result.

他很擅长整理琐碎的事情。

He is very good at organizing trivial matters.

擅长 (be good at) + Verb phrase.

教授正在整理他多年的研究成果。

The professor is organizing his research results from over the years.

Formal academic context.

这篇论文的逻辑需要重新整理。

The logic of this paper needs to be reorganized.

Passive-like need (需要).

整理古籍是一项艰巨的任务。

Organizing ancient texts is an arduous task.

Specialized scholarly usage.

他在整理公司的财务报表。

He is organizing the company's financial statements.

Professional business context.

我们需要整理出一条清晰的发展路线。

We need to organize and produce a clear development path.

整理出 (to organize and bring forth).

政府正在整理市场竞争秩序。

The government is organizing the market competition order.

Macro-level systemic usage.

这些历史档案已经被整理完毕。

These historical archives have already been organized.

Passive '被' construction with '完毕'.

他试图整理出事件的真相。

He is trying to sort out the truth of the incident.

Abstract truth-seeking.

这部作品是对民间传说的系统整理。

This work is a systematic organization of folk legends.

Used as a noun/nominalized verb.

在动笔之前，他必须整理好庞杂的史料。

Before starting to write, he must organize the vast and complex historical materials.

Adjective '庞杂' (vast and jumbled).

整理人生经验可以让人变得睿智。

Organizing life experiences can make a person wise.

Philosophical context.

该学者致力于整理流失海外的文物清单。

The scholar is dedicated to organizing a list of cultural relics lost overseas.

致力于 (dedicated to) construction.

他花了几年的时间整理祖父的遗稿。

He spent several years organizing his grandfather's unpublished manuscripts.

Specific term '遗稿'.

我们需要整理出一套行之有效的管理方案。

We need to organize and develop a set of effective management plans.

Idiom '行之有效' (effective in practice).

整理这些零散的记忆碎片非常困难。

Organizing these scattered fragments of memory is very difficult.

Metaphorical usage.

通过对数据的深度整理，我们发现了规律。

Through the deep organization of data, we discovered patterns.

Noun phrase '深度整理'.

整理国故是近代学术史上的重要运动。

Organizing national heritage was an important movement in modern academic history.

Classical term '国故' (national heritage).

他晚年潜心整理自己的哲学体系。

In his later years, he devoted himself to organizing his philosophical system.

High-level intellectual pursuit.

这部法典是对现有法律条文的全面整理与编纂。

This code is a comprehensive organization and codification of existing legal provisions.

Legal/Technical terminology.

整理这些纷繁复杂的社会关系需要极高的情商。

Organizing these myriad and complex social relationships requires extremely high EQ.

Abstract social management.

他试图在混乱的表象中整理出内在的逻辑。

He attempts to organize an internal logic out of the chaotic appearances.

Epistemological usage.

这项工作旨在整理并保护濒临灭绝的语言。

This work aims to organize and protect endangered languages.

旨在 (aims to) construction.

他在整理书信集的过程中，重新审视了那段历史。

In the process of organizing the collection of letters, he re-examined that period of history.

审视 (examine closely).

对古典文献的整理工作，不仅是学术的传承，更是文化的延续。

The work of organizing classical documents is not only an academic inheritance but also a cultural continuation.

Parallel '不仅...更是' structure.

Synonyms

归纳排列收拾梳理

Antonyms

打乱杂乱

Common Collocations

整理房间 (tidy a room)

整理资料 (organize data)

整理思路 (organize thoughts)

整理行李 (pack luggage)

整理笔记 (organize notes)

整理发型 (tidy hair)

整理书籍 (arrange books)

整理档案 (organize archives)

整理心情 (sort out emotions)

整理记录 (organize records)

Common Phrases

整理一下 (tidy up a bit)

整理好 (finished organizing)

重新整理 (reorganize)

系统整理 (systematically organize)

碎片整理 (defragmentation)

整理家务 (do housework)

整理床铺 (make the bed)

整理旧物 (sort through old things)

整理名片 (organize business cards)

整理书架 (tidy the bookshelf)

Often Confused With

整理 vs 打扫 (Cleaning dirt)

整理 vs 修理 (Repairing broken things)

整理 vs 收拾 (Colloquial tidying/packing)

Idioms & Expressions

"井井有条 (jǐngjǐng yǒu tiáo - in perfect order)"

"有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn - methodical and organized)"

"整齐划一 (zhěngqí huà yī - uniform and neat)"

"理清头绪 (lǐqīng tóuxù - to sort out the threads/thoughts)"

"拨乱反正 (bōluàn fǎnzhèng - to put right what was wrong)"

"条理分明 (tiáolǐ fēnmíng - clearly organized)"

"错落有致 (cuòluò yǒu zhì - scattered but in a pleasing way)"

"一干二净 (yī gān èr jìng - thoroughly clean/tidy)"

"干干净净 (gān gān jìng jìng - clean and neat)"

"整整齐齐 (zhěng zhěng qí qí - very neat and tidy)"

Easily Confused

整理 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

formality

Neutral to slightly formal.

ba sentence

Highly recommended for this verb.

physical vs mental

Equally common in both contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 整理 for washing dishes (use 洗).
Using 整理 for fixing a car (use 修理).
Saying 整理灰尘 (use 打扫).
Forgetting the object in the sentence.
Confusing 整理 with 安排 in the context of time.

Tips

Use with '一下'

Adding '一下' makes the verb sound more casual and less like a harsh command.

Abstract Usage

Don't forget to use it for 'thoughts' (思路) and 'mood' (心情) to sound more advanced.

Office Talk

In an office, '整理' is the standard word for handling files and data.

整理 vs 打扫

Remember: 整理 = Order, 打扫 = Cleanliness.

The 'Ba' Sentence

Practice '把东西整理好' as your default structure for this verb.

Inner Peace

In China, a tidy desk is often seen as a sign of a tidy mind.

Tone Sandhi

When saying 'zhěnglǐ', the first 'zhěng' usually changes to a 2nd tone.

Formal Reports

Use '系统整理' in formal reports to describe your methodology.

Listen for 'Hǎo'

If you hear 'zhěnglǐ hǎo le', it means the job is done.

Housework

Use '整理家务' to describe the general act of tidying the house.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

The '断舍离' (Duan She Li) movement often uses '整理' as its core action.

The '整理古籍' (organizing ancient texts) is a prestigious scholarly pursuit.

A growing industry in China's tier-1 cities.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你多久整理一次房间？ (How often do you tidy your room?)"

"你觉得整理思路最好的方法是什么？ (What do you think is the best way to organize your thoughts?)"

"你喜欢整理东西吗？ (Do you like organizing things?)"

"整理行李的时候，你最先放什么？ (When packing luggage, what do you put in first?)"

"你的电脑桌面需要整理吗？ (Does your computer desktop need organizing?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你彻底整理房间的经历。 (Describe an experience of thoroughly tidying your room.)

写一写你如何整理自己的学习笔记。 (Write about how you organize your study notes.)

整理一下你对未来的计划。 (Organize your plans for the future.)

为什么整理环境能让人心情变好？ (Why does organizing the environment make people feel better?)

记录你整理一段复杂关系的感受。 (Record your feelings about sorting out a complex relationship.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, use '打扫' (dǎsǎo) for cleaning surfaces. Use '整理' for arranging things on the floor.

Yes, '整理' is more formal and implies a logical order, while '收拾' is colloquial.

Yes, it can be nominalized, as in '资料的整理' (the organization of materials).

It is '磁盘碎片整理' (cípán suìpiàn zhěnglǐ).

Yes, '整理发型' or '整理头发' means to tidy up your hair.

整理 is for existing things; 安排 is for future plans or scheduling.

Yes, it means to fold or arrange clothes neatly.

Yes, '整理心情' is a very common expression for sorting out feelings.

It means to organize one's train of thought or clear one's head.

Both are okay. '整理好' emphasizes it's neat; '整理完' emphasizes it's finished.