澄清 chéngqīng clear (of liquid)
clear (of liquid); limpid; to clarify; to make something clear; to be clear (about the facts)
How to remember 澄清: 澄 clear + 清 clear = clear (of liquid).
Characters
How it is used
- Most commonly 'to clarify/set the record straight' - 澄清事实 (chéngqīng shìshí) to clarify the facts; 澄清谣言 to refute a rumor.
- Also literal: (of liquid) clear/limpid, or to let sediment settle.
- Reading pitfall: it's chéngqīng in this sense (not dèng); contrast 说明 (shuōmíng, to explain), whereas 澄清 specifically removes a misunderstanding or false claim.
Example sentences
- 感谢澄清。 Gǎnxiè chéngqīng.Thanks for the clarification.
- 把问题澄清一下。 Bǎ wèntí chéngqīng yīxià.Let's clear up this problem.
- 我们像澄清这个问题 Wǒmen xiàng chéngqīng zhège wèntíWe want to clear up this problem.