adjective / verb HSK 4
Traditional 清潔
clean · sanitary · to clean · to cleanse
Meaning
清洁 describes something that is clean, hygienic, or free from dirt. As a verb, it means to clean or sanitize something. The word combines 清 (clear, pure) and 洁 (clean, pure), emphasizing both physical cleanliness and a sense of purity.
Usage
清洁 is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts, especially in written Chinese, public signage, and professional settings. It appears frequently in job titles (清洁工 - cleaner), product descriptions (清洁剂 - cleaning agent), and public health contexts. For everyday casual speech, natives often prefer 干净 (gānjìng) instead.
Examples
- 01请保持环境清洁。.Please keep the environment clean.
- 02这家餐厅很清洁，我们可以放心吃。, .This restaurant is very clean, we can eat here with confidence.
Characters
Common collocations
- 清洁工cleaner, janitor
- 清洁剂cleaning agent, detergent
- 保持清洁keep clean
- 清洁卫生clean and sanitary
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to purity and cleanliness, with 清 originally depicting clear water and 洁 emphasizing the removal of impurities.