保持清醒 (bǎo chí qīng xǐng)

verb phrase HSK 4

bǎo chí qīng xǐng

to stay awake · to remain clear-headed · to keep a clear mind

Meaning

This phrase means to maintain a state of wakefulness or mental clarity. It can refer literally to staying awake and not falling asleep, or metaphorically to maintaining clear judgment and rational thinking, especially in complex or challenging situations.

Usage

Commonly used in both literal contexts (staying awake during a long drive, studying late) and figurative contexts (maintaining clear judgment in business, politics, or personal decisions). The metaphorical usage emphasizes rationality and not being deceived or confused. Often appears in advice or warnings.

Examples

01
开车的时候一定要保持清醒。
Kāi chē de shí hou yī dìng yào bǎo chí qīng xǐng.
You must stay awake when driving.
02
在复杂的商业环境中，我们需要保持清醒的判断力。
Zài fù zá de shāng yè huán jìng zhōng, wǒ men xū yào bǎo chí qīng xǐng de pàn duàn lì.
In a complex business environment, we need to maintain clear judgment.

Characters

Common collocations

保持清醒的头脑
bǎo chí qīng xǐng de tóu nǎo
to keep a clear head
时刻保持清醒
shí kè bǎo chí qīng xǐng
to stay alert at all times
努力保持清醒
nǔ lì bǎo chí qīng xǐng
to try hard to stay awake

Antonyms

Origin

保持 means 'to maintain/keep' and 清醒 means 'awake/clear-minded'. The combination creates a phrase emphasizing the active effort to maintain mental clarity or wakefulness.