‘清除’ signifies the thorough removal of obstacles, waste, or negative influences to achieve cleanliness or order.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Thoroughly remove unwanted or harmful elements.
- Applicable to physical debris and abstract obstacles.
- Implies a complete and clean elimination process.
Overview
- 1概述：‘清除’是一个语义较强的动词，强调动作的彻底性和结果的干净。它不仅涵盖了物理意义上的‘打扫’，更侧重于‘除掉’那些被认为有害、多余或阻碍发展的东西。2) 用法模式：通常采用‘清除 + 宾语’的结构。宾语可以是具体的（如：垃圾、积雪、杂草），也可以是抽象的（如：障碍、影响、隐患、腐败）。此外，它也常用于计算机领域，指删除数据或缓存。3) 常见语境：在日常生活里，它常用于环境卫生；在政治或组织管理中，指肃清不良分子或错误思想；在医学上，指排除体内的毒素。4) 词义辨析：与‘消除’相比，‘清除’更强调‘除掉’这个动作本身及其物理属性，而‘消除’多用于抽象的心理状态或影响（如消除误会）。与‘铲除’相比，‘清除’的力量感略弱，‘铲除’通常暗示连根拔起，语气更为严厉。
Examples
我们需要清除电脑里的垃圾文件。
everydayWe need to clear the junk files from the computer.
政府决定清除城市发展中的制度性障碍。
formalThe government decided to eliminate institutional obstacles in urban development.
快把桌子上的杂物清除掉，我们要吃饭了。
informalHurry and clear the clutter off the table; we're going to eat.
实验证明，这种药物能有效清除血液中的毒素。
academicExperiments show that this drug can effectively remove toxins from the blood.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
清除异己
to eliminate dissidents
清除淤泥
to clear silt
彻底清除
to remove completely
Often Confused With
‘消除’ is used for abstract states like fatigue, misunderstanding, or influence, whereas ‘清除’ is for removing physical or harmful entities.
‘扫除’ focuses on the act of sweeping or cleaning a room/area, while ‘清除’ focuses on getting rid of specific unwanted items.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
‘清除’ is a neutral to formal verb. In everyday speech, it's used for cleaning or computer maintenance. In formal writing, it's used for systemic reforms or removing negative social elements. It carries a sense of authority and thoroughness.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using ‘清除’ for feelings (e.g., *清除紧张). For emotions or internal states, ‘消除’ is the correct choice. Another error is using it for people in a friendly way; it always implies a somewhat forceful removal.
Tips
Use for physical and digital cleaning
It is the standard term for clearing snow (清除积雪) or clearing browser cache (清除缓存).
Watch out for political sensitivity
When used regarding people, it often implies a purge or forceful removal from an organization.
Thoroughness in Chinese action verbs
The character '清' (clear/clean) combined with '除' (remove) emphasizes reaching a state of purity.
Word Origin
From '清' (clear/pure) and '除' (to get rid of/to pass). Originally related to cleaning paths or removing old things to make room for the new.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, '清除' is often associated with the concept of 'purity' and 'order'. From Spring Festival cleaning to political 'rectification', the act of removing the old or bad to welcome the new is a recurring theme.
Memory Tip
Think of '清' as 'clean' and '除' as 'remove'. Together they mean to 'remove until clean'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘清除’侧重于‘去掉’具体的杂物或有害物，强调动作；‘消除’侧重于使抽象的状态（如疲劳、误会、影响）消失。
可以。常用于‘清除缓存’、‘清除历史记录’或‘清除病毒’，表示彻底删掉不需要的数据。
在特定语境下可以，如‘清除异己’或‘清除队伍中的腐败分子’，但这通常带有较强的政治色彩或强制性。
通常是中性偏褒义，因为它通常意味着去掉了不好的东西，使环境或局面变得更好。
Test Yourself
环卫工人正在忙着___马路上的积雪。
‘清除’最常用于清理积雪等具体的障碍物。
选择不合适的搭配：
‘疲劳’通常用‘消除’搭配，而不是‘清除’。
必须 / 所有的 / 道路 / 障碍 / 清除 / 我们
主语+状语（必须）+谓语（清除）+宾语（障碍）是标准的句式。
Score: /3
Summary
‘清除’ signifies the thorough removal of obstacles, waste, or negative influences to achieve cleanliness or order.
- Thoroughly remove unwanted or harmful elements.
- Applicable to physical debris and abstract obstacles.
- Implies a complete and clean elimination process.
Use for physical and digital cleaning
It is the standard term for clearing snow (清除积雪) or clearing browser cache (清除缓存).
Watch out for political sensitivity
When used regarding people, it often implies a purge or forceful removal from an organization.
Thoroughness in Chinese action verbs
The character '清' (clear/clean) combined with '除' (remove) emphasizes reaching a state of purity.
Examples
4 of 4我们需要清除电脑里的垃圾文件。
We need to clear the junk files from the computer.
政府决定清除城市发展中的制度性障碍。
The government decided to eliminate institutional obstacles in urban development.
快把桌子上的杂物清除掉，我们要吃饭了。
Hurry and clear the clutter off the table; we're going to eat.
实验证明，这种药物能有效清除血液中的毒素。
Experiments show that this drug can effectively remove toxins from the blood.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
