clear the street; clear the way (for royalty)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to clean the street; to clear obstacles from the road
Refers to the cleaning of streets or removal of obstacles from roads to ensure smooth traffic.
Huán环
wèi卫
gōng工
rén人
měi每
tiān天
qīng清
chén晨
qīng清
dào道
。
Sanitation workers clean the streets every early morning.
Shī施
gōng工
qián前
yào要
xiān先
qīng清
dào道
，
què确
bǎo保
jiāo交
tōng通
shùn顺
chàng畅
。
The road must be cleared before construction to ensure smooth traffic.
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Qīng清
dào道
chē车
zhèng正
zài在
zuò作
yè业
。
The street sweeper is currently operating.
verb
to clear the way (for ancient emperors or officials); to disperse pedestrians when royalty travels
archaicHistorical usage referring to the practice of clearing streets for imperial processions in ancient times. Now rarely used except in historical contexts.
Gǔ古
dài代
huáng皇
dì帝
chū出
xún巡
，
yào要
pài派
rén人
qīng清
dào道
，
jìn禁
zhǐ止
bǎi百
xìng姓
tōng通
xíng行
。
When ancient emperors toured, they sent people to clear the way and prohibited commoners from passing.
Qīng清
dào道
guān官
shǒu手
chí持
biān鞭
zi子
，
qū驱
gǎn赶
lù路
biān边
xíng行
rén人
。
The road-clearing officials held whips to drive away pedestrians on the roadside.