清扫 qīngsǎo to tidy up
to tidy up; to mop up; a sweep (against crime)
How to remember 清扫: 清 clear + 扫 sweep = to tidy up.
Characters
How it is used
- To clean/sweep up thoroughly - 清扫街道 (qīngsǎo jiēdào) sweep the streets, 清扫房间 (qīngsǎo fángjiān) tidy the room.
- Emphasizes sweeping/clearing away dirt and debris; also figurative 'a sweep/crackdown' (清扫犯罪).
- Contrast 打扫 (dǎsǎo, clean/sweep, everyday); 清扫 is slightly more formal/thorough.
Example sentences
- 她在清扫电灯。 Tā zài qīngsǎo diàndēng.She's cleaning the electric light.
- 汤姆正在清扫人行道。 Tāngmǔ zhèngzài qīngsǎo rénxíngdào.Tom is sweeping the sidewalk.