保持卫生
To maintain hygiene
Literally: Keep/Maintain (保持) Hygiene/Sanitation (卫生)
Use this to encourage others to keep shared spaces clean and tidy in a polite, standard way.
In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to say 'keep this place clean'.
- Commonly seen on signs in public restrooms and parks.
- Combines 'maintain' (保持) with 'hygiene' (卫生).
- Used for environments and shared spaces, not personal appearance.
Meaning
This phrase is all about keeping things clean and tidy. It is a polite way to tell someone to pick up after themselves or maintain a hygienic environment.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a shared office kitchen
大家请保持卫生，用完微波炉请擦一下。
Everyone please maintain hygiene; please wipe the microwave after use.
A sign in a public park
保护环境，保持卫生。
Protect the environment and maintain hygiene.
Talking to a messy roommate
兄弟，咱们客厅得保持卫生啊。
Bro, we really need to keep the living room clean.
Cultural Background
This phrase gained immense popularity during national health campaigns in the mid-20th century. It is deeply tied to the concept of 'Wenming' (Civilization), where public cleanliness is seen as a reflection of a person's character and the nation's progress. You will see it everywhere from high-speed trains to tiny village walls.
The 'Please' Power
Always add `请` (qǐng) before the phrase in public. Without it, you might sound like a strict school principal!
The 'Civilized' Connection
In China, keeping clean is often linked to being `文明` (wénmíng - civilized). If someone says you don't `保持卫生`, they might be subtly questioning your manners.
In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to say 'keep this place clean'.
- Commonly seen on signs in public restrooms and parks.
- Combines 'maintain' (保持) with 'hygiene' (卫生).
- Used for environments and shared spaces, not personal appearance.
What It Means
保持卫生 is your go-to phrase for cleanliness. It literally means 'maintain hygiene.' It covers everything from washing your hands to keeping a park clean. It is not just about germs. It is about being a responsible member of society. Think of it as the verbal version of a 'Please Clean Up' sign.
How To Use It
You can use it as a command or a gentle reminder. Usually, people add 请 (please) at the beginning. You will see it on signs in bathrooms or parks. You can also say it to your roommate who leaves socks everywhere. It is a very versatile and practical phrase. Just pair it with a smile so you do not sound too bossy.
When To Use It
Use it when you are in public spaces. It is perfect for shared offices or communal kitchens. If you are hosting a party, you might mention it jokingly. It is also great for teaching kids good habits. You will hear it constantly in schools and hospitals. In a professional setting, it shows you care about the workspace.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in a fancy five-star restaurant to the waiter. That would be quite rude and confusing. Avoid using it when someone is already cleaning. It might sound like you are nagging them. Also, do not use it for personal grooming advice. If a friend has messy hair, this is not the right phrase. Use it for environments, not people's bodies.
Cultural Background
In China, public health campaigns have used this phrase for decades. It became a massive part of the 'Civilized City' initiatives. You will see it on red banners in many neighborhoods. There is a strong cultural emphasis on 'face' and public order. Keeping a space clean shows respect for the community. It is a sign of being a 'civilized' (文明) citizen.
Common Variations
You might hear 讲究卫生, which means being very particular about hygiene. There is also 注意卫生, which means 'pay attention to hygiene.' If you want to be very formal, use 爱护环境. That translates to 'cherish the environment.' For a quick, casual version, just say 弄干净 (make it clean). But 保持卫生 remains the most standard and recognized version.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very safe to use in almost any setting. Just remember that it is a 'state' verb—you are asking someone to keep things the way they should be, rather than performing a specific cleaning action like scrubbing.
The 'Please' Power
Always add `请` (qǐng) before the phrase in public. Without it, you might sound like a strict school principal!
The 'Civilized' Connection
In China, keeping clean is often linked to being `文明` (wénmíng - civilized). If someone says you don't `保持卫生`, they might be subtly questioning your manners.
Not for People
Don't say `你得保持卫生` to tell a friend they need a shower. It sounds like you're treating them like a public park. Use `去洗个澡` (go take a shower) instead.
Examples
6大家请保持卫生，用完微波炉请擦一下。
Everyone please maintain hygiene; please wipe the microwave after use.
A standard professional reminder for colleagues.
保护环境，保持卫生。
Protect the environment and maintain hygiene.
A very common public service slogan.
兄弟，咱们客厅得保持卫生啊。
Bro, we really need to keep the living room clean.
Using 'we' makes the request feel less like an attack.
饭前要洗手，保持卫生好习惯。
Wash hands before meals; maintain the good habit of hygiene.
Used here to teach a lifestyle habit.
昨晚派对太疯狂了，现在我们要努力保持卫生（或者说，求生）。
Last night's party was crazy; now we must try to maintain hygiene (or rather, survive).
Uses the formal phrase in a messy context for humor.
为了大家的健康，请务必保持卫生。
For everyone's health, please be sure to maintain hygiene.
Conveys urgency and care for others' well-being.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the hygiene reminder.
公共场所请___卫生。
`保持` (bǎochí) is the standard verb used with `卫生` to mean 'maintain'.
Which word refers to 'hygiene' or 'cleanliness'?
我们要从小养成讲___的好习惯。
`卫生` (wèishēng) specifically refers to hygiene and sanitation.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '保持卫生'
Talking to friends about a messy room.
咱们得保持卫生。
Standard office or classroom setting.
请保持卫生。
Official government signs or hospital notices.
请自觉保持公共卫生。
Where you will see/hear this
Public Restroom
Sign above the sink
Shared Apartment
Chore chart on the fridge
School Cafeteria
Poster on the wall
Doctor's Office
Advice on preventing illness
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsIt literally means 'Maintain Hygiene'. 保持 (bǎochí) means to keep or maintain, and 卫生 (wèishēng) means hygiene or sanitation.
Yes, but keep it light. You could say 咱们得保持卫生 (We need to keep things clean) so it sounds like a shared responsibility.
Not really. It usually refers to the cleanliness of an environment. For personal hygiene, you would say 讲究个人卫生 (be particular about personal hygiene).
You will see it on signs in public places like parks, buses, malls, and restrooms. It is the standard 'Keep Clean' sign text.
保持卫生 is about *maintaining* a state of cleanliness, while 打扫干净 (dǎsǎo gānjìng) means the act of *cleaning up* a mess.
It is neutral to slightly formal. It is polite enough for a sign but simple enough for a conversation between roommates.
You can say 请把垃圾带走，保持卫生 (Please take your trash with you and maintain hygiene).
It means 'Public Health' or 'Public Hygiene'. You will often see 请保持公共卫生 on street signs.
Yes! You can use it for 保持联系 (keep in touch) or 保持安静 (keep quiet).
Not exactly, but young people might just say 别乱扔 (bié luàn rēng), which means 'don't just throw stuff everywhere'.
In some contexts, 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) means 'bathroom' or 'restroom'. They share the same root word.
Related Phrases
保持安静 (Keep quiet)
讲究卫生 (To be mindful of hygiene)
打扫卫生 (To do the cleaning)
卫生间 (Restroom/Bathroom)
环境整洁 (Clean and tidy environment)
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