清理 (qīng lǐ) — to clear up, to tidy up; to clean out (a space, files, etc.); to dispose of (waste, unwanted items)

Definition

清理 focuses on removing unwanted things (trash, files, debris) to clear a space. 整理 is arranging what's kept; 修复 is fixing something broken, not clearing it.

verb
to clear upto tidy upto clean out (a space, files, etc.)to dispose of (waste, unwanted items)

Examples

  • 清理
    Zhōu mò wǒ yào qīng lǐ yí xià yī guì.
    I want to clean out my wardrobe this weekend.
  • 清理
    Qǐng bǎ zhè xiē lā jī qīng lǐ gān jìng.
    Please dispose of this trash thoroughly.
  • 清理
    Tā huā le yí gè xiǎo shí qīng lǐ yóu xiāng lǐ de jiù yóu jiàn.
    He spent an hour clearing out old emails in his mailbox.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

arrange

清 and 理 combine clearing with arranging, so 清理 means to clear up and tidy.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asshuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
qīngqīng
Same sound today

清 has 氵 (water) on the left and 青 on the right to show its sound.

Open 清 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
jade
Sound part声符shēngfú
Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Open 理 →

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