When you're learning Chinese, you'll find words that are super useful for everyday life. 杂物 (zá wù) is one of those words!
Think about all the little things you have lying around – keys, papers, pens, charging cables. These are all 杂物. It's a general term for various items or things that might be cluttering up a space.
So, if your room is a bit messy with lots of small things, you could say there are a lot of 杂物. It's a handy word to describe miscellaneous items without having to list them all out.
When you're learning Chinese, you'll often encounter situations where you need to talk about everyday things that don't quite fit into neat categories. That's where 杂物 (zá wù) comes in handy.
Think of 杂物 as a catch-all term for miscellaneous items, clutter, or sundries. If your desk is messy, it's full of 杂物. If you have a drawer with a bunch of random small things, those are 杂物.
It's a really practical word to know for describing your surroundings or talking about tidying up. You'll hear it a lot in daily conversations.
When talking about things that are miscellaneous or odds and ends, the Chinese word 杂物 (záwù) is very useful. It’s a noun that generally refers to a collection of various items, often implying a bit of disarray or clutter. Think of it as 'sundries' or 'miscellaneous items' in English.
You'll often hear it when people are describing a messy space, like a room full of random belongings. It can also refer to a collection of small, unrelated things that don't have a specific place. It’s a practical word for everyday situations.
When talking about things that are miscellaneous, often a bit messy, or just general items, the Chinese word to use is 杂物 (zá wù). This word is a noun and it directly translates to 'sundries', 'clutter', or 'various items'. You'll often hear it in contexts like cleaning, organizing, or describing a space that has a lot of random things in it. Think of it as a convenient catch-all term for things that don't quite fit into a neat category.
When we talk about 杂物 (záwù), we're referring to a collection of miscellaneous items, often implying things that are not neatly organized or don't have a specific place. It can be translated as sundries, clutter, or various items. Imagine a drawer full of random pens, paper clips, and old receipts – those would be considered 杂物.
It’s a very practical word to describe the everyday accumulation of things. You might hear someone say他们的房间里有很多杂物 (tāmen de fángjiān li yǒu hěn duō záwù), meaning their room has a lot of clutter. Or perhaps you're clearing out a space and finding all sorts of 杂物. It’s about the bits and pieces of life that can sometimes create a bit of a mess.
杂物 in 30 Seconds
- 杂物 means 'sundries' or 'clutter'.
- It refers to various miscellaneous items.
- Often used to describe things that are untidy or not neatly organized.
§ What does 杂物 mean?
- Definition
- sundries; clutter; various items
Alright, let's talk about the Chinese word 杂物 (záwù). This word is super practical in everyday conversation, especially if you're trying to describe a messy room or just a collection of random things. Think of it as the go-to term for 'stuff,' 'miscellaneous items,' or 'clutter.' It's pretty broad, covering anything from old magazines to spare keys to forgotten toys. If it doesn't have a specific, important place, it might just be 杂物.
The character 杂 (zá) means 'mixed,' 'miscellaneous,' or 'various.' The character 物 (wù) means 'thing' or 'item.' So, when you put them together, you literally get 'mixed items' or 'various things.' This combination perfectly captures the essence of items that are not neatly categorized or are just a collection of different things.
You'll hear 杂物 used a lot in contexts related to tidying up, organizing, or just generally describing a space that isn't perfectly ordered. For example, if your friend's desk is covered in pens, papers, and random gadgets, you could say there's a lot of 杂物 on it. It's often used with a slightly negative connotation, implying that these items are creating a bit of a mess or are just unnecessary.
我的房间里有很多杂物，我需要整理一下。(Wǒ de fángjiān lǐ yǒu hěnduō záwù, wǒ xūyào zhěnglǐ yīxià.) - My room has a lot of clutter, I need to tidy it up.
Notice how in this example, it's about tidying up. That's a very common pairing with 杂物. People don't usually 'collect' 杂物 with pride; they usually want to get rid of it or organize it.
§ When do people use 杂物?
You'll find 杂物 being used in a few key situations:
- Describing a messy space: This is probably the most common use. If a room, a desk, a car, or even a drawer is unorganized with various unrelated items, you can use 杂物 to describe the contents.
- Talking about storage: When you're discussing where to put random items that don't have a dedicated place, you might refer to them as 杂物. There are even specific storage areas or containers sometimes called 杂物间 (záwùjiān) for 'utility room' or 'storage room,' and 杂物箱 (záwùxiāng) for 'glove compartment' (in a car) or a 'storage box.'
- Referring to small, unimportant items: Sometimes, 杂物 can refer to small items of little value or things you just keep around 'just in case.'
把这些杂物都放到杂物间里。(Bǎ zhèxiē záwù dōu fàng dào záwùjiān lǐ.) - Put all these sundries into the utility room.
请把手套箱里的杂物清理一下。(Qǐng bǎ shǒutào xiāng lǐ de záwù qīnglǐ yīxià.) - Please clean out the stuff in the glove compartment.
So, to sum it up, 杂物 (záwù) is your go-to word for that collection of odds and ends, the things that create clutter, or just miscellaneous items that need sorting. It's a very practical word to have in your Chinese vocabulary arsenal, especially if you ever need to describe a less-than-tidy environment!
Alright, let's talk about 杂物 (záwù). You'll hear and use this word a lot in daily Chinese. It means 'sundries,' 'clutter,' or 'various items.' Think of all those small things that gather around your house or in your bag – that's 杂物.
It's an A2 word, so it's quite common. Mastering its usage will make your Chinese sound much more natural. Let's dive into how to use it in sentences.
§ Basic Sentence Structures
杂物 usually functions as a noun. It can be the subject or the object of a sentence. It refers to a collection of miscellaneous items, so it's often used in a general sense.
桌上有很多杂物。
- Translation hint
- There are a lot of clutter/sundries on the table.
我需要整理一下这些杂物。
- Translation hint
- I need to organize these miscellaneous items.
§ Using 杂物 with Verbs
You'll often see 杂物 paired with verbs that describe managing or dealing with objects. Here are some common ones:
- 整理 (zhěnglǐ) – to tidy up, to organize
- 收拾 (shōushi) – to put in order, to tidy up (similar to 整理, but often implies clearing away)
- 堆放 (duīfàng) – to pile up, to stack
- 清除 (qīngchú) – to clear away, to remove
- 收集 (shōují) – to collect
他喜欢收集各种杂物。
- Translation hint
- He likes to collect all sorts of sundries.
请把这些杂物清除掉。
- Translation hint
- Please clear away these miscellaneous items.
§ Prepositions and Location
When talking about where 杂物 are, you'll use common prepositions (or more accurately, coverbs) like 在 (zài - at, in), 把 (bǎ - used to highlight the object), or phrases indicating location.
不要把杂物堆放在门口。
- Translation hint
- Don't pile clutter at the doorway.
我的包里有很多杂物。
- Translation hint
- There's a lot of sundries in my bag.
§ Common Phrases with 杂物
You'll often encounter 杂物 in specific contexts. Here are a few:
- 杂物间 (záwùjiān) – utility room, storage room,杂物房 (záwùfáng) - storage room
- 清理杂物 (qīnglǐ záwù) – to clear out clutter
- 堆满杂物 (duīmǎn záwù) – piled full of clutter
杂物间里有很多旧东西。
- Translation hint
- There are many old things in the storage room.
我需要时间来清理这些杂物。
- Translation hint
- I need time to clear out this clutter.
So, there you have it. 杂物 is a straightforward word for all those 'bits and bobs' in your life. Practice using it with these verbs and sentence structures, and you'll be sounding like a pro in no time.
§ Don't Confuse 杂物 (záwù) with 垃圾 (lājī)
Many learners, especially at the A2 level, make the mistake of using 杂物 (záwù) interchangeably with 垃圾 (lājī) when they want to talk about 'trash' or 'rubbish.' While some 杂物 (záwù) can indeed become 垃圾 (lājī) if you decide to throw them away, they are not the same thing. 杂物 (záwù) refers to miscellaneous items, things that might be useful but are just cluttering a space. 垃圾 (lājī), on the other hand, specifically means trash or waste that you intend to discard.
- DEFINITION
- 杂物 (záwù): sundries; clutter; various items
- DEFINITION
- 垃圾 (lājī): trash; rubbish; garbage
我房间里有很多杂物。(Wǒ fángjiān li yǒu hěn duō záwù.) My room has a lot of clutter.
请把垃圾扔掉。(Qǐng bǎ lājī rēngdiào.) Please throw away the trash.
§ Using the Correct Verb with 杂物 (záwù)
Another common error is using verbs that don't quite fit with 杂物 (záwù). Because 杂物 (záwù) refers to a collection of miscellaneous items, you generally use verbs related to organizing, putting away, or clearing. Avoid verbs that imply 'handling' a single, specific object, unless you're talking about a specific piece of clutter.
- Correct: 整理杂物 (zhěnglǐ záwù) - to tidy up clutter
- Correct: 收拾杂物 (shōushi záwù) - to clear up/put away clutter
- Correct: 清理杂物 (qīnglǐ záwù) - to clear out clutter
- Less common/potentially incorrect: 拿杂物 (ná záwù) - to take clutter (This sounds odd unless you're taking a *specific* item from the clutter.)
- Incorrect: 吃杂物 (chī záwù) - to eat clutter (This is clearly wrong, but illustrates the point that it's not a single, consumable item.)
我需要花时间整理我的杂物。(Wǒ xūyào huā shíjiān zhěnglǐ wǒ de záwù.) I need to spend time tidying up my clutter.
§ Don't Overuse 杂物 (záwù) for 'Various Items'
While 杂物 (záwù) can mean 'various items,' it often carries the connotation of these items being a bit disorganized or just generally lying around. If you simply want to refer to 'various items' in a neutral way, without implying clutter, there are better phrases. For instance, you might use '各种东西 (gè zhǒng dōngxi)' for 'various things' or '不同的物品 (bù tóng de wùpǐn)' for 'different items.'
商店里有各种东西。(Shāngdiàn lǐ yǒu gè zhǒng dōngxi.) There are all kinds of things in the store.
§ Understanding 杂物 (záwù)
You've learned that 杂物 (záwù) means 'sundries,' 'clutter,' or 'various items.' It's a really useful word for describing general bits and bobs, especially when they're a bit disorganized or just odds and ends.
- DEFINITION
- 杂物 (záwù): sundries; clutter; various items
Think of it as the stuff that isn't neatly categorized. The random things in your drawer, the pile of things you need to sort through, or just a collection of miscellaneous items.
我的房间里有很多杂物，需要清理一下。
_My room has a lot of clutter, I need to clean it up._
§ Similar Words and Key Differences
While 杂物 (záwù) is quite versatile, there are other words you might encounter that seem similar. Let's break them down:
§ 零碎 (língsuì) - bits and pieces; odds and ends
零碎 (língsuì) also refers to small, miscellaneous items. The key difference is often the size and quantity. 零碎 tends to imply smaller, often broken or leftover pieces. It can also describe things that are fragmented or not whole.
- Use 杂物 for general clutter, a mix of things that might be big or small, but are just 'stuff'.
- Use 零碎 for smaller, often less significant bits, like scraps of fabric, tiny spare parts, or loose change.
他把所有零碎的东西都放进了盒子里。
_He put all the bits and pieces into the box._
§ 废品 (fèipǐn) - waste product; scrap; discarded material
废品 (fèipǐn) refers specifically to items that are waste, scraps, or things to be discarded. While 杂物 can include things you want to keep but are just messy, 废品 implies they are no longer useful in their current form and are destined for disposal or recycling.
- If you're talking about old newspapers or empty bottles, use 废品.
- If you're talking about a pile of random items you haven't sorted yet (some to keep, some to toss), 杂物 is more appropriate.
请把这些废品扔到回收箱里。
_Please throw these waste products into the recycling bin._
§ 货物 (huòwù) - goods; cargo
货物 (huòwù) refers to commercial goods, merchandise, or cargo. This word is used in a business context for items being sold, shipped, or traded. It has a much more formal and specific meaning than 杂物.
- You would use 货物 when talking about products in a store or items being transported.
- You would *not* use 货物 to describe the random items in your closet.
这批货物将运往上海。
_This batch of goods will be shipped to Shanghai._
§ When to use 杂物 (záwù)
Stick with 杂物 (záwù) when you're talking about:
- General clutter in a space (room, desk, storage area).
- A collection of various, often unrelated, items.
- Miscellaneous personal belongings that aren't specifically categorized.
- Things that need to be tidied up, sorted, or simply referred to as 'stuff'.
Fun Fact
The character '杂' (zá) originally depicted entangled threads, symbolizing a mix or jumble.
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing 'z' as 'j' or 'zh'.
- Not differentiating between the first and fourth tones.
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Use 杂物 after demonstrative pronouns (这/那) to specify particular clutter.
这些杂物 (these sundries), 那些杂物 (those sundry items).
Use with quantifiers like 堆 (duī, pile) or 件 (jiàn, piece) to describe quantities of clutter.
一堆杂物 (a pile of clutter), 几件杂物 (a few miscellaneous items).
杂物 can be the object of verbs such as 收拾 (shōushi, to tidy up), 清理 (qīnglǐ, to clear up), or 堆放 (duīfàng, to pile up).
收拾杂物 (tidy up clutter), 清理杂物 (clear away sundries), 堆放杂物 (pile up various items).
It can also be preceded by adjectives to describe the nature of the clutter.
很多杂物 (a lot of clutter), 旧杂物 (old sundries), 没用的杂物 (useless items).
Use in descriptive phrases, often with locative particles like 里 (lǐ, inside) or 上 (shàng, on), to indicate where the clutter is.
房间里的杂物 (clutter in the room), 桌子上的杂物 (sundries on the table).
Examples by Level
我的房间里有很多杂物。
My room has a lot of miscellaneous items.
请把这些杂物收拾一下。
Please tidy up these sundries.
桌子上堆满了杂物。
The table is piled high with clutter.
这个抽屉里都是没用的杂物。
This drawer is full of useless odds and ends.
他喜欢收集各种小杂物。
He likes to collect all sorts of small items.
车库里堆满了旧的杂物。
The garage is full of old clutter.
我需要一个盒子来装这些杂物。
I need a box to put these various items in.
这些杂物占了很多空间。
These miscellaneous items take up a lot of space.
我需要清理一下房间里的杂物。
I need to clean up the clutter in my room.
这些杂物占用了太多空间。
These sundries take up too much space.
请把桌子上的杂物都移开。
Please move all the various items off the table.
他喜欢收集各种各样的杂物。
He likes to collect all sorts of odds and ends.
这个抽屉里堆满了杂物。
This drawer is full of miscellaneous items.
杂物间里有很多不用的东西。
There are many unused things in the storage room.
她把杂物都收进了箱子里。
She put all the clutter into a box.
别把重要的文件和杂物混在一起。
Don't mix important documents with random items.
我需要清理一下书桌上的杂物。
I need to clear up the clutter on my desk.
这个抽屉里塞满了各种杂物。
This drawer is crammed with all sorts of miscellaneous items.
请把这些杂物搬到储藏室去。
Please move these sundries to the storage room.
他的房间里堆满了杂物，几乎没有下脚的地方。
His room was piled high with clutter, leaving almost no space to walk.
这些废弃的杂物应该尽快处理掉。
These discarded various items should be dealt with as soon as possible.
我们把露营用的杂物都装进了背包。
We packed all the camping sundries into our backpacks.
商店里卖的都是些日用杂物。
The shop sells daily necessities and various sundry items.
他喜欢收集各种旧杂物。
He likes to collect all sorts of old odds and ends.
我需要清理一下书桌上的杂物，它们堆得太高了。
I need to clear the clutter on my desk; it's piled too high.
A common use of 杂物 in a domestic context.
这个储藏室里堆满了各种各样的杂物，我都不知道从何下手整理。
This storage room is filled with all sorts of miscellaneous items; I don't even know where to start organizing.
强调杂物的多样性和整理的挑战性。
请把这些不用的杂物都扔掉，免得占用太多空间。
Please throw away all these unused sundries so they don't take up too much space.
Direct instruction for dealing with clutter.
她喜欢收集各种小杂物，所以她的房间总是显得很温馨。
She likes collecting various small trinkets, so her room always feels very cozy.
Here, 杂物 can refer to small, decorative items.
我把车库里的杂物都清理干净了，现在终于有地方停车了。
I cleared out all the clutter in the garage, and now there's finally space to park the car.
Practical application of clearing clutter.
不要把重要的文件和那些无关紧要的杂物混在一起。
Don't mix important documents with those irrelevant miscellaneous items.
Distinguishing between important items and mere clutter.
每次搬家，清理杂物都是最让人头疼的部分。
Every time I move, clearing out the clutter is the most headache-inducing part.
A common sentiment about dealing with belongings during a move.
这片空地很快就被附近居民堆放的各种杂物占据了。
This empty lot was quickly taken over by various items dumped by nearby residents.
Referring to discarded items in a public space.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
这房间里有很多杂物。
There are many sundries/clutter in this room.
把杂物收起来。
Put away the clutter/sundries.
杂物堆满了桌子。
The table is piled high with clutter/sundries.
请不要在这里堆放杂物。
Please don't pile up sundries/clutter here.
他正在整理他的杂物。
He is organizing his sundries/clutter.
这个抽屉里都是些小杂物。
This drawer is full of small items/odds and ends.
我需要一个杂物间来放这些东西。
I need a utility room/storage room to put these things.
家里杂物太多了，需要清理。
There's too much clutter at home; it needs to be cleared out.
我把一些旧杂物扔掉了。
I threw away some old sundries/clutter.
这些杂物占用了太多空间。
These sundries/clutter take up too much space.
Often Confused With
杂货 means 'groceries' or 'miscellaneous goods (for sale)', not personal clutter. Think of a '杂货店' (grocery store).
废品 refers to 'waste products', 'scrap', or 'discarded items' that are often recyclable or truly useless. 杂物 might include things you still want but are just messy.
细软 refers to 'valuables', 'personal belongings of value', or 'jewellery'. This is the opposite of the often unwanted or unimportant nature of 杂物.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"收拾杂物"
Tidy up clutter/sundries
我需要收拾杂物。(I need to tidy up the clutter.)
neutral"一堆杂物"
A pile of clutter/sundries
桌子上有一堆杂物。(There is a pile of clutter on the table.)
neutral"存放杂物"
Store sundries/clutter
这个房间用来存放杂物。(This room is used to store sundries.)
neutral"清理杂物"
Clear out clutter/sundries
我们应该定期清理杂物。(We should regularly clear out clutter.)
neutral"杂物间"
Storage room; utility room
把这些东西放到杂物间。(Put these things in the storage room.)
neutral"杂物箱"
Storage box; glove compartment (in a car)
把你的手机放在杂物箱里。(Put your phone in the glove compartment.)
neutral"扔掉杂物"
Throw away clutter/sundries
是时候扔掉这些杂物了。(It's time to throw away this clutter.)
neutral"翻找杂物"
Rummage through clutter/sundries
他在杂物里翻找钥匙。(He was rummaging through the clutter for his keys.)
neutral"各种杂物"
Various sundries/items
商店里有各种杂物出售。(The store sells various sundries.)
neutral"杂物太多"
Too much clutter/too many sundries
我的房间杂物太多了。(My room has too much clutter.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both 垃圾 and 杂物 refer to items that are unwanted or create a mess. Learners often struggle to distinguish when to use each term.
垃圾 specifically refers to trash or refuse that needs to be disposed of. 杂物 refers to miscellaneous items, clutter, or sundries that may not necessarily be trash but are disorganized or numerous.
这些杂物占了太多空间，是时候清理一下了。(Zhè xiē zá wù zhàn le tài duō kōng jiān, shì shí hou qīng lǐ yī xià le.) These miscellaneous items take up too much space, it's time to clean them up.
东西 is a very general term for 'things' or 'stuff', which can sometimes overlap with the broad meaning of 杂物. Learners might use 东西 when 杂物 would be more precise.
东西 is a broader, more generic term for any 'thing' or 'stuff', regardless of its organization or purpose. 杂物 specifically implies miscellaneous, often disorganized, items or clutter.
我的房间里堆满了各种各样的杂物。(Wǒ de fáng jiān lǐ duī mǎn le gè zhǒng gè yàng de zá wù.) My room is piled with all kinds of miscellaneous items.
物品 also means 'items' or 'articles', leading to confusion with 杂物. The key difference lies in the connotation.
物品 is a neutral, more formal term for 'items' or 'articles', often implying a degree of order or value. 杂物 carries the connotation of being miscellaneous, often disorganized, or even clutter.
把这些杂物收好，别让房间看起来乱糟糟的。(Bǎ zhè xiē zá wù shōu hǎo, bié ràng fáng jiān kàn qǐ lái luàn zāo zāo de.) Put away these miscellaneous items, don't let the room look messy.
Both can refer to small, leftover pieces. However, their specific meanings differ.
碎屑 refers to small fragments, crumbs, or debris (e.g., bread crumbs, wood shavings). 杂物 refers to a collection of various, often unrelated, items or clutter, not necessarily small fragments.
桌上有很多杂物，需要整理一下。(Zhuō shàng yǒu hěn duō zá wù, xū yào zhěng lǐ yī xià.) There's a lot of clutter on the table, it needs to be tidied up.
零碎 can mean 'fragmentary', 'odd bits and pieces', which might seem similar to 杂物.
零碎 emphasizes small, scattered, or incomplete pieces. It can also describe things that are petty or trivial. 杂物 refers to a collection of various items, often implying a lack of organization or purpose, but not necessarily small or incomplete.
储藏室里堆满了旧家具和各种杂物。(Chú cáng shì lǐ duī mǎn le jiù jiā jù hé gè zhǒng zá wù.) The storage room is piled with old furniture and various miscellaneous items.
Sentence Patterns
这儿有很多杂物。
There's a lot of clutter here.
把这些杂物收拾一下。
Tidy up these miscellaneous items.
我的桌子上总是堆满了杂物。
My desk is always piled high with sundries.
这个房间里有很多旧杂物。
There are many old various items in this room.
他喜欢收集各种各样的杂物。
He likes to collect all sorts of miscellaneous items.
这些杂物占用了太多的空间。
These sundries take up too much space.
她把一些不重要的杂物扔掉了。
She threw away some unimportant clutter.
清理杂物可以帮助我们整理思绪。
Clearing out clutter can help us organize our thoughts.
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
杂物 (záwù) refers to a collection of miscellaneous items, often implying a sense of clutter or disorganization. It's commonly used to describe things like trinkets, old papers, or random objects that accumulate in a space. Examples:
- 我的桌子上堆满了杂物。(Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng duī mǎn le záwù.) My desk is piled high with sundries/clutter.
- 请把这些杂物清理一下。(Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē záwù qīnglǐ yīxià.) Please clear away these miscellaneous items/clutter.
- 这个抽屉里有很多没用的杂物。(Zhège chōuti lǐ yǒu hěn duō méiyòng de záwù.) There's a lot of useless clutter in this drawer.
A common mistake is using 杂物 to refer to things that are specifically organized or have a clear purpose. While it technically means 'various items', the connotation often leans towards 'junk' or 'clutter'. For example, if you have a neatly organized collection of stamps, you wouldn't typically call them 杂物. You'd use a more specific term like 邮票 (yóupiào - stamps) or 收藏品 (shōucángpǐn - collectibles). Also, avoid using 杂物 to refer to a single item. It's almost always used in the plural sense, even without an explicit plural marker.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'miscellaneous物' (wù) of 'za' (杂) items, all jumbled together. It sounds like 'za-woo'. Think of 'zapped' with too many 'woo' items everywhere, creating clutter.
Visual Association
Picture a room filled with a chaotic pile of '杂物'. Maybe old clothes, books, and random gadgets are all mixed up. Visualize reaching into this pile and pulling out a 'miscellaneous item'.
Word Web
Challenge
You want to say: 'My desk is full of clutter.' How would you say this using 杂物? (My desk = 我的书桌 / My = 我的 / is full of = 满了) Answer: 我的书桌满了杂物。
Word Origin
From '杂' (zá), meaning 'miscellaneous' or 'mixed,' and '物' (wù), meaning 'thing' or 'item.'
Original meaning: Miscellaneous items
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, MandarinCultural Context
<p>In Chinese culture, decluttering and organizing '杂物' (záwù) is often associated with a clear mind and good feng shui. Many families have a designated space, like a utility room or a corner of a living area, where miscellaneous items are stored, sometimes neatly, sometimes less so.</p>
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
clearing out a room/house
- 清理杂物 (qīnglǐ záwù) - clear out clutter
- 一堆杂物 (yī duī záwù) - a pile of sundries/clutter
- 杂物间 (záwùjiān) - storage room/utility room
describing a messy space
- 都是杂物 (dōu shì záwù) - it's all clutter
- 放杂物 (fàng záwù) - put various items (somewhere)
- 杂乱的杂物 (záluàn de záwù) - messy clutter
talking about storing things
- 收纳杂物 (shōunà záwù) - organize sundries/clutter
- 存放杂物 (cúnfàng záwù) - store various items
- 我的杂物 (wǒ de záwù) - my various items/belongings
referring to small, miscellaneous items
- 一些杂物 (yī xiē záwù) - some miscellaneous items
- 小杂物 (xiǎo záwù) - small items
- 生活杂物 (shēnghuó záwù) - household items/daily sundries
complaining about too many things
- 太多杂物了 (tài duō záwù le) - too much clutter
- 这些杂物 (zhè xiē záwù) - these various items
- 处理杂物 (chǔlǐ záwù) - deal with clutter
Conversation Starters
"你家有没有专门放杂物的地方？(Nǐ jiā yǒu méiyǒu zhuānmén fàng záwù de dìfang?) - Do you have a special place in your home for storing miscellaneous items?"
"你觉得你的房间杂物多吗？(Nǐ juéde nǐ de fángjiān záwù duō ma?) - Do you think your room has a lot of clutter?"
"你最近清理过家里的杂物吗？(Nǐ zuìjìn qīnglǐ guò jiālǐ de záwù ma?) - Have you recently cleared out the clutter in your home?"
"你喜欢把杂物整理得井井有条，还是随便放？(Nǐ xǐhuan bǎ záwù zhěnglǐ de jǐngjǐngyǒutiáo, háishì suíbiàn fàng?) - Do you like to organize your clutter neatly, or just put it anywhere?"
"你有哪些你觉得是杂物但又舍不得扔掉的东西？(Nǐ yǒu nǎ xiē nǐ juéde shì záwù dàn yòu shěbude rēngdiào de dōngxi?) - What miscellaneous items do you have that you consider clutter but can't bear to throw away?"
Journal Prompts
描述一下你家里最杂乱的一个角落，里面有什么杂物。(Miáoshù yīxià nǐ jiālǐ zuì záluàn de yīgè jiǎoluò, lǐmiàn yǒu shénme záwù.) - Describe the messiest corner of your home, what kind of clutter is in it?
你认为什么是“杂物”？你平时会怎么处理家里的杂物？(Nǐ rènwéi shénme shì 'záwù'? Nǐ píngshí huì zěnme chǔlǐ jiālǐ de záwù?) - What do you consider 'clutter'? How do you usually deal with the clutter in your home?
如果你要搬家，你会怎么整理和处理你的杂物？(Rúguǒ nǐ yào bānjiā, nǐ huì zěnme zhěnglǐ hé chǔlǐ nǐ de záwù?) - If you were moving, how would you organize and deal with your miscellaneous items?
写一篇短文，描述一个你特别喜欢，但别人可能觉得是杂物的物品。(Xiě yī piān duǎnwén, miáoshù yīgè nǐ tèbié xǐhuan, dàn biérén kěnéng juéde shì záwù de wùpǐn.) - Write a short essay describing an item you particularly like, but others might consider clutter.
想象一下你的理想生活空间，那里会有很多杂物吗？为什么？(Xiǎngxiàng yīxià nǐ de lǐxiǎng shēnghuó kōngjiān, nàlǐ huì yǒu hěnduō záwù ma? Wèishénme?) - Imagine your ideal living space, would there be a lot of clutter there? Why?
Test Yourself 114 questions
房间里有很多___，需要整理一下。(There are a lot of ___ in the room, it needs tidying up.)
The sentence implies a need for tidying, and '杂物' (clutter) fits this context perfectly.
我的包里总是装着各种___。(My bag always has all sorts of ___.)
'杂物' refers to various small, often unrelated items, which is common to carry in a bag.
把这些___都收起来吧，太乱了。(Put all these ___ away, it's too messy.)
The phrase '太乱了' (too messy) indicates that '杂物' (clutter) is the appropriate word to be put away.
这个抽屉里有很多小___。(This drawer has many small ___.)
Drawers are commonly used to store various small items, which '杂物' describes.
他喜欢收集各种___。(He likes to collect all kinds of ___.)
Collecting '杂物' (various items) is a common hobby, and it fits the context of collecting 'all kinds of things'.
请把桌面上的___清理干净。(Please clean up the ___ on the desk.)
To 'clean up' a desk implies removing '杂物' (clutter or various items) from it.
Which of these means 'clutter' or 'sundries'?
杂物 (zá wù) directly translates to sundries, clutter, or various items.
My room has a lot of ___. (Wǒ de fáng jiān yǒu hěn duō ___.)
杂物 (zá wù) fits the context of a room having 'a lot of items' or 'clutter'.
To say 'clean up the clutter', which word would you use for 'clutter'?
杂物 (zá wù) is the correct word for 'clutter' in this context.
The word 杂物 (zá wù) means 'water'.
杂物 (zá wù) means sundries, clutter, or various items, not water.
If your desk is messy, it might have a lot of 杂物 (zá wù).
杂物 (zá wù) refers to clutter or various items, so a messy desk would likely have a lot of it.
You can eat 杂物 (zá wù).
杂物 (zá wù) refers to items or clutter, not food, so you cannot eat it.
My room has a lot of miscellaneous items.
Please tidy up these sundries.
The table is full of various items.
Read this aloud:
我有很多杂物。
Focus: zā wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
杂物太多了。
Focus: tài duō le
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
房间里有杂物。
Focus: fáng jiān lǐ
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'There are sundries on the table.' In Chinese, you often say the location first, then 'on/in,' then 'have,' then the object.
This means 'Don't put a lot of clutter here.' '不要' (bù yào) means 'don't,' '在' (zài) means 'at/in,' and '放' (fàng) means 'put.'
This sentence asks 'Are these sundries mine?' '这些' (zhè xiē) means 'these,' '是' (shì) means 'is/are,' and '吗' (ma) makes it a question.
我的桌子上有很多___。
The sentence means 'There are a lot of clutter on my desk.' '杂物' (zá wù) means clutter or sundries.
请把这些___清理一下。
The sentence means 'Please clean up these sundries.' '杂物' (zá wù) refers to various items or clutter.
这个抽屉里都是___。
The sentence means 'This drawer is full of miscellaneous items.' '杂物' (zá wù) is the correct word for miscellaneous items or clutter.
家里堆满了___，看着很不舒服。
The sentence means 'The house is piled high with clutter, which looks uncomfortable.' '杂物' (zá wù) fits the context of undesirable accumulated items.
我需要一个盒子来装这些___。
The sentence means 'I need a box to hold these various items.' '杂物' (zá wù) is suitable for a collection of different small things.
他喜欢收集各种___。
The sentence means 'He likes to collect all kinds of miscellaneous items.' '杂物' (zá wù) refers to a variety of different items.
Which of these means 'clutter' or 'sundries'?
杂物 (zá wù) directly translates to sundries, clutter, or various items.
What would you call small, miscellaneous items in your room?
杂物 (zá wù) is the correct term for small, miscellaneous items.
In the sentence '房间里有很多___，需要整理。' (Fáng jiān lǐ yǒu hěn duō ___, xū yào zhěng lǐ.), what word fits best?
The sentence means 'There are many ___ in the room, it needs to be tidied up.' '杂物' (clutter) fits perfectly.
杂物 (zá wù) refers to large, important furniture.
杂物 (zá wù) refers to small, miscellaneous items or clutter, not large furniture.
You can use 杂物 (zá wù) to describe things that are messy or untidy.
杂物 (zá wù) often implies items that contribute to clutter or messiness.
If your desk is full of pens, papers, and other small things, you can call them 杂物 (zá wù).
Pens, papers, and other small items on a desk are a good example of 杂物 (zá wù).
The speaker is talking about their room.
The speaker is asking someone to tidy up.
The speaker is describing the contents of a drawer.
Read this aloud:
我需要清理我的杂物。
Focus: zá wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这些杂物应该放在哪里？
Focus: zhè xiē zá wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
别把杂物堆在这里。
Focus: bié bǎ zá wù duī
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You just cleaned your room. Describe what kind of clutter you found and where you put it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我整理了我的房间，找到很多杂物，比如旧书和没用的东西。我把它们都放进了储藏室。
Imagine your friend's desk is very messy. Write a short message to them suggesting they clean up their clutter.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你的书桌上有很多杂物，看起来有点乱。你什么时候有空整理一下？
Describe a common place in your house where clutter tends to accumulate, and why.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的厨房台面上总是堆满了各种杂物，因为大家都会把东西放在那里。
小明为什么每个月整理房间？
Read this passage:
小明不喜欢家里有太多杂物。他每个月都会花时间整理房间，把不需要的东西都扔掉或者捐出去。这样，他的家总是很干净，也很宽敞。
小明为什么每个月整理房间？
文章中明确提到小明不喜欢家里有太多杂物，所以他每个月整理房间。
文章中明确提到小明不喜欢家里有太多杂物，所以他每个月整理房间。
经理要求大家清理办公桌的目的是什么？
Read this passage:
办公室里堆满了文件和杂物，看起来很不专业。经理要求大家把自己的办公桌清理干净，这样才能提高工作效率。
经理要求大家清理办公桌的目的是什么？
文章中提到经理要求清理办公桌是为了提高工作效率。
文章中提到经理要求清理办公桌是为了提高工作效率。
妈妈在储藏室里发现了什么？
Read this passage:
周末的时候，妈妈决定把储藏室里的杂物清理一下。她发现了很多旧玩具和旧衣服，有些还可以捐给需要的人。
妈妈在储藏室里发现了什么？
文章中明确提到妈妈在储藏室里发现了旧玩具和旧衣服。
文章中明确提到妈妈在储藏室里发现了旧玩具和旧衣服。
The correct order is '房间里 (in the room) 有 (has) 很多 (many) 杂物 (clutter)'.
The correct order is '把 (introduces object) 这些 (these) 杂物 (sundries) 收拾 (tidy up) 一下 (a bit)'.
The correct order is '桌子上 (on the table) 放着 (is placed) 一些 (some) 杂物 (various items)'.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 我的房间里堆满了___，需要好好整理一下。
The sentence talks about a room full of things that need tidying up, so '杂物' (clutter) is the most suitable word.
Which of the following describes something you would typically find in a box labeled '杂物'?
'杂物' refers to miscellaneous items, often clutter or things that don't have a specific place.
选出与“杂物”意思最接近的词语：
While '杂物' can sometimes be garbage, its primary meaning is general items or various items, which is best represented by '物品'. '物品' is a broader term.
把家里所有的杂物都扔掉是一个好主意。
While organizing clutter is good, '杂物' simply means various items, not necessarily things to be thrown away. Some '杂物' might be useful or have sentimental value.
在商店里，你经常会看到一个区域专门卖“杂物”。
Stores usually categorize items clearly. '杂物' is more of a descriptive term for mixed, unorganized items rather than a category for sales.
整理杂物可以帮助你更好地利用空间。
Organizing miscellaneous items (杂物) definitely helps in making better use of space and reduces clutter.
The speaker is talking about a messy room.
Someone is asking to put items away.
The sentence describes the contents of a cabinet.
Read this aloud:
你喜欢把杂物都收起来吗？
Focus: zá wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我的办公桌上堆满了杂物。
Focus: duī mǎn le zá wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
清理杂物可以让人心情更好。
Focus: qīng lǐ zá wù
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You just moved into a new apartment. Describe three types of '杂物' you need to organize or throw away. Make sure to use the word 杂物 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的新公寓里有很多杂物。我需要整理旧书、衣服和一些不再使用的电器。我会扔掉一些没用的杂物。
Your friend's room is very messy. Write a short message to your friend suggesting they clean up the '杂物' in their room. Include at least one specific example of clutter.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你的房间太乱了，有很多杂物。你应该打扫一下，把那些旧报纸和没用的东西都收拾干净。
Imagine you are describing a storage room. What kind of '杂物' would you expect to find there? List at least three different categories.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
储藏室里通常有很多杂物，比如旧家具、不常用的工具和一些不舍得扔掉的纪念品。
小明为什么整理家里的东西？
Read this passage:
小明搬家后，发现家里有很多杂物。他决定花一个周末来整理这些东西。他把旧衣服捐了，把旧书送给了朋友，还扔掉了一些坏掉的电器。
小明为什么整理家里的东西？
文章中明确提到小明搬家后发现家里有很多杂物，所以他决定整理。
文章中明确提到小明搬家后发现家里有很多杂物，所以他决定整理。
办公室的杂物对工作有什么影响？
Read this passage:
办公室里堆满了杂物，文件、旧电脑、空盒子到处都是。这让大家的工作效率很低，很难找到需要的东西。经理决定组织一次大扫除。
办公室的杂物对工作有什么影响？
文章中提到“这让大家的工作效率很低，很难找到需要的东西”，所以杂物降低了工作效率。
文章中提到“这让大家的工作效率很低，很难找到需要的东西”，所以杂物降低了工作效率。
“我”打算如何处理车库里的杂物？
Read this passage:
我家车库里有很多杂物，大部分都是我爸爸以前用过的工具。有些已经生锈了，有些还可以用。我打算把它们分类，把没用的扔掉。
“我”打算如何处理车库里的杂物？
文章中说“我打算把它们分类，把没用的扔掉”。
文章中说“我打算把它们分类，把没用的扔掉”。
她把所有的___都清理干净了，房间看起来整洁多了。
Context indicates clearing out miscellaneous items to make a room tidy. '杂物' (záo wù) fits this meaning best.
这个抽屉里堆满了各种各样的___，我得好好整理一下。
The sentence describes a drawer full of various items that need organizing. '杂物' is the most suitable choice.
请把桌子上的___都搬走，我们要在这里开会。
The context implies clearing a table of miscellaneous items for a meeting. '杂物' (záo wù) is the correct term.
我的车后备箱里总是放着一堆___，有时候都找不到想找的东西。
The sentence talks about a car trunk full of various items, making it hard to find things. '杂物' is the appropriate word here.
这个旧仓库里堆满了各种___，大部分都已经没用了。
The sentence describes an old warehouse filled with various, mostly useless, items. '杂物' (záo wù) fits this description.
她喜欢收集各种小___，家里到处都是她的收藏品。
The context indicates a person who collects various small items, which aligns with the meaning of '杂物'.
Choose the sentence where "杂物" is used correctly.
“杂物”指的是各种零散的物品或不重要的东西，通常用来形容混乱或需要整理的状态。选项A正确地表达了整理杂物的行为。其他选项用法不当。
Which word is the best synonym for "杂物" in the context of a messy room?
在表达房间混乱时，'杂物'可以指各种物品的堆积。'物品'是其中一个比较接近的通用词。虽然'垃圾'也可能是一些杂物，但'杂物'不一定都是垃圾。
If someone says "我家堆满了杂物", what do they most likely mean?
“堆满了杂物”通常意味着家里有很多零散的、没有整理的物品，导致空间显得凌乱。选项C最符合这个含义。
The phrase "清理杂物" means to clean up a messy area by removing unnecessary items.
“清理杂物”就是指整理并清除堆积的、不必要的或零散的物品，使空间变得整洁。
"杂物" always refers to things that are completely useless and should be thrown away.
“杂物”可以指不重要的、零散的物品，但它们不一定都是完全无用的。有些杂物可能只是暂时不需要整理，或者有纪念意义但目前没有被妥善放置的物品。
You would typically find "杂物" in an elegantly decorated showroom.
优雅的展厅通常注重整洁和美观，不会有零散的“杂物”堆放，这与“杂物”所表达的混乱或不整洁的概念相悖。
The speaker needs to organize something.
The room is messy because of many items.
Someone is being asked to clear a table.
Read this aloud:
这些杂物占了太多空间。
Focus: 杂物 (záwù)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我真受不了这些杂物。
Focus: 受不了 (shòubuliǎo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请把你的杂物收好。
Focus: 收好 (shōuhǎo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
她把所有的旧信和不用的东西都扔进了堆满___的储藏室。
这句话描述的是一个堆满了旧信和不用的东西的储藏室，'杂物'最能准确地表达这些零碎、不重要的物品。
他的书桌上总是堆满了各种文件、书籍和___，看起来有些凌乱。
根据上下文，书桌上除了文件和书籍，还有一些零碎、不整齐的物品，'杂物'是最佳选择。
清理完家里的___后，整个房间都变得宽敞明亮了许多。
清理房间通常是为了去除多余的、零碎的物品，'杂物'符合这个语境。
为了让空间更整洁，他决定把所有不常用的___都收起来。
不常用的物品通常指的是那些零碎的、不重要的东西，'杂物'表达了这种含义。
这座老旧的阁楼里堆满了废弃的家具和各种___，很少有人上去。
阁楼里堆放废弃家具和零碎物品，'杂物'最恰当地描述了这些东西。
她习惯把小票、钥匙和硬币等各种___随手放在门口的收纳盒里。
小票、钥匙和硬币都属于日常生活中零碎的小物品，用'杂物'来概括非常合适。
Choose the sentence where “杂物” is used most appropriately.
“杂物”指的是各种零碎的物品，常常带有凌乱、不重要的含义。选项A表达了房间没有零碎物品，因此最贴切。
Which of the following items would most likely be referred to as “杂物” in a typical household context?
“杂物”通常指那些零散的、不那么重要的、容易造成凌乱的物品。旧报纸和用过的笔符合这个描述。
If someone says, “请把这些杂物清理一下。” What are they most likely asking you to do?
“清理杂物”的核心意思是把那些零散、不整洁、不那么重要的物品收拾干净，使环境变得整洁。不一定要求全部扔掉或归类整理到极致，但收拾干净是主要目的。
“杂物” can refer to valuable antiques displayed in a museum.
“杂物”通常指零散的、不那么重要的、有时带有凌乱感的物品，而不是珍贵的艺术品或文物。博物馆中的展品通常被称为“文物”、“展品”或“艺术品”，而不是“杂物”。
If a living room is full of “杂物”, it generally means it is very tidy and organized.
“杂物”本身带有零散、凌乱的含义，所以如果一个客厅充满了杂物，那说明它通常是不整洁、不规整的。
A person who is good at organizing would likely have a lot of “杂物” lying around their workspace.
善于整理的人通常会避免让工作区堆满“杂物”，他们更倾向于保持整洁和有序。
Listen for how much clutter there is.
Listen for the reason to clear out the clutter.
Listen for her method of organizing small items.
Read this aloud:
我需要一个更大的储藏室来放置家里的杂物。
Focus: 储藏室 (chǔcángshì)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这些杂物占据了太多的空间，是时候该处理掉了。
Focus: 占据 (zhànjù)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请把桌子上的杂物整理一下，看起来太乱了。
Focus: 整理 (zhěnglǐ)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes a study room filled with various items. The structure is 'Location + Verb + Quantity/Type + Noun'.
This sentence means 'Organizing these sundries requires time.' The structure is 'Verb + Object + Verb + Noun'.
This sentence indicates 'There are many unused items in the cabinet.' The structure is 'Location + Verb + Quantity + Adjective + Noun'.
/ 114 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
杂物 is a useful word for talking about general items, especially when they're a bit messy.
- 杂物 means 'sundries' or 'clutter'.
- It refers to various miscellaneous items.
- Often used to describe things that are untidy or not neatly organized.
Example
把这些杂物清理一下。
