清理 qīnglǐ to clear up
to clear up; to tidy up; to dispose of
How to remember 清理: 清 clear + 理 reason = to clear up.
Characters
How it is used
- To clear out/clean up/sort and dispose - 清理垃圾 (qīnglǐ lājī) clear away trash, 清理内存 (qīnglǐ nèicún) free up memory, 清理库存 (qīnglǐ kùcún) clear inventory.
- Combines cleaning with sorting/settling; about clearing away what's unwanted or settling accounts.
- Contrast 清扫 (qīngsǎo, sweep clean); 清理 emphasizes clearing out and putting in order.
Example sentences
- 我清理了桌子。 Wǒ qīnglǐ le zhuōzi.I cleared the table.
- 你必须把桌子清理干净。 Nǐ bìxū bǎ zhuōzi qīnglǐ gānjìng.You must clear the table.