adjective HSK 4
qīng shuǎng
fresh and cool · refreshing · neat and tidy · clear-headed

Meaning

清爽 describes a pleasant feeling of freshness, coolness, or clarity. It's commonly used for weather, taste, or appearance that feels clean, crisp, and invigorating. The word combines 清 (clear, pure) with 爽 (refreshing, straightforward), creating a sense of comfortable lightness.

Usage

Native speakers use 清爽 to describe cool weather, refreshing drinks or food (especially in summer), a neat hairstyle or appearance, or even a clear mental state. It carries positive connotations and is frequently used in everyday conversation, advertising, and product descriptions. Common contexts include describing morning air, mint flavors, or someone's clean-cut appearance.

Examples

  1. 01
    洗完澡后感觉很清爽
    wán zǎo hòu gǎn jué hěn qīng shuǎng.
    I feel very refreshed after taking a shower.
  2. 02
    这种薄荷茶喝起来很清爽
    Zhè zhǒng he chá lái hěn qīng shuǎng.
    This mint tea tastes very refreshing.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 清爽的天气
    qīng shuǎng de tiān
    refreshing weather
  • 清爽可口
    qīng shuǎng kǒu
    refreshing and tasty
  • 感觉清爽
    gǎn jué qīng shuǎng
    to feel refreshed
  • 清爽的发型
    qīng shuǎng de xíng
    neat hairstyle

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters have long histories in Chinese. 清 originally depicted clear water, while 爽 combines elements suggesting brightness and openness. Together they create a compound emphasizing pleasant freshness.

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