卫生

You can use it as a noun or an adjective. If a place is messy, you say it has 'bad hygiene'. If you are cleaning your room, you are 'doing hygiene'. It is very versatile. You will see it on signs in bathrooms and on restaurant ratings. It is a fundamental word for daily survival.

Use it when checking out a new street food stall. Use it when talking to a roommate about chores. It is perfect for professional settings like hospitals or schools too. If you are at a hotel and the sheets look gray, this is your word. It sounds responsible and observant.

Do not use 卫生 to describe someone’s personality or style. If a friend has a 'clean' fashion sense, use 干脆 or 简约. 卫生 is strictly about physical cleanliness and health. Also, do not use it for 'clear' water; use 清澈 instead. It is about germs, not aesthetics.

In China, 卫生 became a massive public focus during national health campaigns. You will see 'Hygiene Cities' awards across the country. It is a point of pride for businesses. There is also a deep link between cleanliness and 'face'. A clean shop shows respect to the customers. It is more than just soap; it is about social order.

You will often hear 卫生间 for bathroom. 卫生纸 is the word for toilet paper. If someone is a 'clean freak', they have 洁癖. In restaurants, look for the 卫生等级 (hygiene grade) signs. These small variations will help you navigate any Chinese city with ease.