清
clear; pure; clean; settle accounts; upright
Meanings
9 senses · 45 examplesadjective
clear; pure (liquid/gas); not mixed
Most commonly used to describe water, air, or transparent substances, opposite of 浊(zhuó).
The lake water here is clear enough to see the bottom.
The air after rain is especially fresh and clean.
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This river has been polluted and is no longer clear.
She washed the glass thoroughly clean.
The crisp, clear spring water quenches thirst and is sweet.
adjective
quiet; tranquil; silent
formalDescribes quiet, peaceful environments, often used in literary or formal contexts.
The alley at midnight is very quiet and chilly.
The mountain forest in the early morning is quiet and elegant.
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This remote small town is exceptionally quiet and desolate.
Sitting alone on a quiet night, I miss my family far away.
Cold, quiet moonlight spills over the courtyard.
adjective
upright; honest; incorruptible
formalUsed to describe people who are fair and not corrupt, especially officials.
The people all praised this incorruptible official.
Honest and upright officials are deeply loved by the people.
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He has been fair and upright in his official career all his life.
This judge handles cases with integrity and fairness.
Honest governance is the basic principle for officials.
adjective
clear; distinct; easy to understand
Describes things that are easy to perceive or understand, or speech that is not ambiguous.
He has a hoarse voice and can't speak clearly.
I can't hear you clearly, please say it again.
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Please explain the course of the event clearly.
His handwriting is blurry and hard to read clearly.
I haven't figured out the full details of this matter yet.
adjective
pure; unadorned; without extra ingredients
Describes food, performances, or items that are simple without additional components.
I like to drink plain tea without sugar.
This concert is an a cappella performance.
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The plain porridge and side dishes at this shop are very popular.
He likes to listen to minimalist music to relax.
This bowl of plain noodle soup has a very light flavor.
verb
clear out; eliminate all remaining
Used for paying off debts, using up all items, or removing all traces of something.
He paid off all the money he owed me.
I ate up all the snacks in the fridge.
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This heavy rain washed away all the fallen leaves on the road.
She cleared out all the old things from the drawer.
The expenses for this event have all been settled.
verb
purify; clean up (organization)
formalMost commonly used for political or organizational purges, removing unqualified members.
The government decided to carry out a party purification campaign.
This organization needs to purify the bad apples within it.
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The school is purging unqualified teachers from its staff.
They plan to clean up and rectify the market environment.
The association will remove violating members.
verb
settle (accounts); pay off debts
formalSpecifically refers to settling financial debts or accounts.
We have paid off all the debts we owed.
The accounts of this company have all been settled.
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He finally paid off the gambling debts he owed for three years.
Please settle this month's rent.
We will settle this payment within a week.
verb
count; check (number of items)
Used for counting and verifying the number of items or goods.
Please count and check the number of pieces of luggage.
The waiter is counting the tableware in the restaurant.
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Please count and check your personal belongings before departure.
The warehouse manager is counting the inventory goods.
The teacher asked us to count the number of textbooks.