Definition
一尘不染 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'not stained by a single speck of dust'. It is used in two main ways: (1) to describe a place that is extremely clean and spotless; (2) to describe a person who is morally upright, incorruptible, and free from bad influences. The literal image of dust helps learners remember both the concrete and figurative uses.
f.e.
spotlessextremely clean (of a place)incorruptiblemorally pure (of a person)
Examples
- 一尘不染，。Tā bǎ chúfáng cā de yī chén bù rǎn, xiàng xīn de yíyàng.She wiped the kitchen spotless, like new.
- 一尘不染，。Zhè wèi guānyuán yìshēng yī chén bù rǎn, shēn shòu rénmín àidài.This official was incorruptible all his life and deeply loved by the people.
- ，一尘不染。Tā de bàngōngshì suīrán bú dà, dàn yī chén bù rǎn.His office is small but spotless.
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