Meanings of 清除
By ear
Play it, then pick what 清除 means.
About 清除
Podcast: 清除
Podcast: 清除
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Drill the tone of 清除 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 清除 to You
Let me explain 清除 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 清除 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 清除?
Learning Lab
Knowing 清除 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 清除 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 清除?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 清除?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.