Meaning
打扫 means to clean or tidy up a space, typically referring to cleaning rooms, houses, or other areas. It's a compound verb combining 打 (to strike/do) and 扫 (to sweep), but the modern meaning extends beyond just sweeping to include general cleaning activities.
Usage
This is a common everyday verb used for household cleaning and tidying. It's neutral in register and appropriate for both casual and formal contexts. Often used with objects like 房间 (room), 卫生 (hygiene/cleanliness), or 教室 (classroom). Native speakers frequently use it when talking about routine housework or preparing a space for guests.
Examples
- 01我每个周末都会打扫房间。.I clean my room every weekend.
- 02客人来之前，我们要把房子打扫干净。, .Before the guests arrive, we need to clean the house thoroughly.
Characters
Common collocations
- 打扫房间to clean the room
- 打扫卫生to do cleaning, to clean up
- 打扫干净to clean thoroughly
- 打扫教室to clean the classroom
Antonyms
Origin
Originally meant 'to sweep' literally, combining 打 (a versatile verb indicating action) with 扫 (to sweep). Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass general cleaning activities beyond just sweeping.