Meanings of 清除
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Podcast: 清除
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AI study notes for 清除
清理 (qīnglǐ) vs 清除 (qīngchú): use 清理 when focusing on tidying up or organizing, while 清除 emphasizes elimination or removal of unwanted items.
Be mindful that 清除 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in government or technical language, rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 清除障碍 (qīngchú zhàng'ài, eliminate obstacles) and 清除垃圾 (qīngchú lājī, clear away trash). Also, remember that the tones are important, as mispronouncing them can lead to confusion.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 清除 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to action and removal, such as 处理 (chǔlǐ, to deal with) and 消除 (xiāochú, to eliminate). Focus on understanding its usage in various contexts, especially in formal writing or discussions.
Learners often confuse 清除 with 清理 (qīnglǐ), which means to tidy up or organize rather than eliminate. For example, saying 我想清除房间 (wǒ xiǎng qīngchú fángjiān) is incorrect if you mean to tidy up a room; it should be 我想整理房间 (wǒ xiǎng zhěnglǐ fángjiān).
Pronunciation of 清除
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Component characters
How to say to eliminate in Chinese
“to eliminate” in Chinese is清除
清除 (qīngchú) means to eliminate or get rid of something unwanted or unnecessary. It is commonly used in contexts such as cleaning up, removing obstacles, or clearing away clutter. The term conveys a sense of thoroughness and finality in the action of removal.
When to use 清除
Be mindful that 清除 is often used in more formal contexts, such as in government or technical language, rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 清除障碍 (qīngchú zhàng'ài, eliminate obstacles) and 清除垃圾 (qīngchú lājī, clear away trash). Also, remember that the tones are important, as mispronouncing them can lead to confusion.
清除 or something close to it
清理 (qīnglǐ) vs 清除 (qīngchú): use 清理 when focusing on tidying up or organizing, while 清除 emphasizes elimination or removal of unwanted items.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 清除 with 清理 (qīnglǐ), which means to tidy up or organize rather than eliminate. For example, saying 我想清除房间 (wǒ xiǎng qīngchú fángjiān) is incorrect if you mean to tidy up a room; it should be 我想整理房间 (wǒ xiǎng zhěnglǐ fángjiān).
Write 清除
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Grammar patterns of 清除
清除 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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他们从上层文职部门____了上千名公务员。
They have purged thousands from the upper levels of the civil service.
Example sentences for 清除 (10)
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Frequently asked questions about 清除
While both words mean to eliminate, 清除 implies a physical removal or clearing away, whereas 消除 often refers to eliminating emotions or problems.
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