Meaning
清理 means to clean, organize, or clear something away in a systematic manner. It emphasizes the process of removing unwanted items, organizing a mess, or dealing with accumulated clutter. The word combines 清 (clear, clean) and 理 (to arrange, manage), suggesting both cleaning and organizing aspects.
Usage
清理 is commonly used for both physical cleaning tasks (clearing a room, organizing files) and abstract situations (sorting out problems, settling accounts). It's more formal than simple 打扫 (to clean) and implies a thorough, systematic approach. Often used in official contexts, workplace settings, and when discussing data or file management.
Examples
- 01我们需要清理一下仓库里的旧东西。.We need to clear out the old things in the warehouse.
- 02他花了一整天清理电脑里的无用文件。.He spent a whole day cleaning up useless files on his computer.
Characters
Common collocations
- 清理垃圾to clear away garbage
- 清理现场to clear the scene
- 清理账目to sort out accounts
- 清理文件to organize files
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 清 (clear/clean) and 理 (arrange/manage) creates a meaning that emphasizes both the removal of unwanted elements and the systematic organization of what remains.