清洁
To clean
Literally: Clear and Pure
Use `清洁` when you mean sanitizing or deep-cleaning for health and hygiene purposes.
In 15 Seconds
- Focuses on hygiene and removing dirt, not just tidying.
- Common in skincare, professional services, and health contexts.
- More formal and thorough than the basic word '打扫'.
Meaning
It means to deep-clean or sanitize something thoroughly. Think of it as 'professional cleaning' rather than just tidying up your room.
Key Examples
3 of 6Buying skincare products
这款洗面奶的清洁效果很好。
This facial cleanser has a great cleaning effect.
Requesting hotel service
请问什么时候可以来清洁房间？
Excuse me, when can you come to clean the room?
Texting a roommate about the kitchen
我们要定期清洁冰箱。
We need to clean the fridge regularly.
Cultural Background
The term reflects China's modern emphasis on public hygiene and 'Civilized Cities' initiatives. It evolved from ancient concepts of ritual purity to modern sanitary standards. Today, it is ubiquitous in the booming Chinese skincare and home-care industries.
The 'Beauty' Secret
If you see `清洁` on a bottle in a Chinese store, it's likely a cleanser or soap, not a household bleach!
Don't 'Qingjie' your Bed
If you tell someone you need to `清洁` your bed, they might think you spilled chemicals on it. Use `整理` for making the bed.
In 15 Seconds
- Focuses on hygiene and removing dirt, not just tidying.
- Common in skincare, professional services, and health contexts.
- More formal and thorough than the basic word '打扫'.
What It Means
清洁 is your go-to word for real hygiene. It is more than just picking up socks. It means removing dirt, germs, or stains. Imagine a sparkling hotel room or a sterile lab. That is the vibe of 清洁.
How To Use It
Use it as a verb or a noun. You can 清洁 your face with a cleanser. You can 清洁 a wound. It often pairs with objects like 皮肤 (skin) or 环境 (environment). It sounds a bit more serious than 打扫 (to sweep/tidy). Use it when the goal is purity or health.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings. It is perfect for skincare routines. Use it when talking about public spaces. If you are at a hotel and need the room scrubbed, this is the word. It is also common in technical manuals. Think of it as the 'Sanitize' button on your dishwasher.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for organized clutter. If your books are messy, use 整理. If you just need to sweep the floor, use 打扫. Using 清洁 for a messy desk sounds like you want to bleach the wood. It is about hygiene, not just neatness. Avoid it in very casual slangy chats about chores.
Cultural Background
In China, 清洁 is linked to public health campaigns. You will see it on street signs everywhere. There is a strong cultural pride in 'clean cities.' It also has roots in traditional medicine. Keeping the body 'clear' is seen as vital for energy flow. It is a word that commands respect for the space.
Common Variations
清洁工 is the formal word for a cleaner. 清洁剂 means cleaning detergent or solution. You might hear 大清洁 for a massive spring cleaning. In skincare, 深层清洁 means 'deep pore cleansing.' It is a favorite term in beauty commercials. Everyone wants that 'clear' look!
Usage Notes
Use `清洁` when you want to sound thorough or professional. It is the standard term for hygiene-related cleaning in both speech and writing.
The 'Beauty' Secret
If you see `清洁` on a bottle in a Chinese store, it's likely a cleanser or soap, not a household bleach!
Don't 'Qingjie' your Bed
If you tell someone you need to `清洁` your bed, they might think you spilled chemicals on it. Use `整理` for making the bed.
The Cleanliness Culture
In China, 'Cleanliness' is often grouped with 'Civilization' (文明). A clean space is seen as a sign of good character.
Examples
6这款洗面奶的清洁效果很好。
This facial cleanser has a great cleaning effect.
Commonly used in beauty contexts to describe effectiveness.
请问什么时候可以来清洁房间？
Excuse me, when can you come to clean the room?
Standard polite way to ask for housekeeping.
我们要定期清洁冰箱。
We need to clean the fridge regularly.
Implies a deep clean, not just moving jars around.
我把盘子清洁得很干净，一点菜都没剩！
I cleaned the plate so well, not a single veggie is left!
Using a formal word for eating everything is a common joke.
保护环境，保持城市清洁。
Protect the environment and keep the city clean.
A typical public service announcement style.
别担心，先清洁一下伤口。
Don't worry, let's clean the wound first.
Used in medical or first-aid contexts.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word for a deep-cleaning context.
这件衣服需要专业的___。
Professional cleaning for clothes or items uses `清洁`.
Which word fits a skincare routine?
每天早晚都要___皮肤。
Cleaning skin is specifically referred to as `清洁皮肤`.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say 'Clean' in Chinese
Tidying up/Organizing
Organizing a desk
General housework
Sweeping the floor
Sanitizing/Deep cleaning
Sterilizing a hospital
Where you will see '清洁'
Skincare
Facial Cleanser
Public Signs
Keep City Clean
Electronics
Clean Disk Space
Hotel/Office
Professional Crew
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions打扫 is for general chores like sweeping. 清洁 is for hygiene and removing dirt, like scrubbing a sink.
Yes! You can use it for 'cleaning' disk space or the physical screen: 清洁屏幕.
It is neutral to slightly formal. It is used in ads, signs, and professional services, but fine for daily life too.
The formal term is 清洁工. A more polite, modern term is 保洁员.
Usually, we say 洗头. However, shampoo ads might use 清洁头皮 (clean the scalp) to sound more scientific.
Literally, yes. 清 is clear and 洁 is pure/clean. Together they imply a state of being free from impurities.
It can be both. 清洁房间 (clean the room - verb) or 房间很清洁 (the room is very clean - adjective).
It is a cleaning agent or detergent. This includes everything from dish soap to floor cleaner.
No, that's too literal. For abstract things like reputation, we use different words like 挽回 or 洗清.
Yes, you might see a sign saying 清洁中 (Cleaning in progress) near a restroom or a table.
Related Phrases
打扫
To sweep/tidy up
整理
To organize/arrange
卫生
Hygiene/Sanitation
干净
Clean (adjective)
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