Meaning
整理 means to organize, arrange, or tidy things up so they are orderly and systematic. It can refer to physical items like cleaning a room or organizing papers, as well as abstract things like organizing thoughts, data, or materials. The word combines 整 (whole, orderly) and 理 (to manage, arrange).
Usage
整理 is commonly used in everyday contexts for tidying rooms, organizing documents, or sorting belongings. It's also frequently used in work settings for organizing materials, data, or information. The word has a neutral register and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. Often appears with objects like 房间 (room), 资料 (materials), 思路 (thoughts).
Examples
- 01我需要整理一下房间，太乱了。, .I need to tidy up my room, it's too messy.
- 02她正在整理这个月的财务报告。.She is organizing this month's financial report.
Characters
Common collocations
- 整理房间to tidy up a room
- 整理资料to organize materials/data
- 整理思路to organize one's thoughts
- 整理行李to pack luggage
Antonyms
Origin
The combination dates to classical Chinese, where 整 meant 'to put in order' and 理 meant 'to govern or arrange.' Together they reinforce the concept of systematic arrangement and ordering.