打扫卫生

You use this phrase as a verb-object construction. You can say 我打扫卫生 (I am cleaning). Often, people add a duration or a location. For example, 打扫一下卫生 means to do a quick bit of cleaning. The word 一下 makes it sound less like a chore and more like a light task. It is very flexible in daily speech.

Use this when you are talking about chores at home. It is perfect for telling a roommate it is their turn. You will also hear it in schools or offices. Teachers might tell students to 打扫卫生 before leaving. It is the standard term for any organized cleaning effort. If you are inviting someone over, you might say you need to 打扫卫生 first.

Do not use this for cleaning a person or a small object. You do not 打扫卫生 your hands; you 洗手 (wash hands). You do not 打扫卫生 a laptop screen; you 擦 (wipe) it. This phrase is for spaces like rooms, houses, or parks. Also, do not use it for 'cleaning out' a bank account. That is a different kind of 'cleaning' entirely!

In China, cleaning is deeply tied to the concept of 'Face' and new beginnings. Before the Lunar New Year, every family does a massive 打扫卫生. This is called 'sweeping the dust' to get rid of bad luck. A clean home shows you are organized and respectful of your guests. It is more than a chore; it is a ritual of renewal. Even in modern offices, collective cleaning is a way to build team spirit.

You might hear people just say 打扫 for short. In northern China, some might say 收拾屋子 (tidy the room). If you are doing a very deep clean, you add 大 (big) to get 大扫除. This usually involves moving furniture and scrubbing every corner. If you just want to say 'hygiene' as a noun, use 卫生 alone, like 注意卫生 (pay attention to hygiene).