Chinese word

清

Pronunciation

Pinyinqīng

Meaning

  • adjectiveclear

Example

河水很清。hé shuǐ hěn qīng

The river water is very clear.

Illustration for 清 (clear)

More examples

早晨的空气很清新。zǎo chén de kōng qì hěn qīng xīn

The morning air is very fresh.

Core concept

Something looks clean and open because nothing clouds it, and the same lack of taint can describe a person's character.

Common phrases

  • 清澈的湖水qīng chè de hú shuǐ

    clear lake water

  • 清爽的口感qīng shuǎng de kóu gǎn

    refreshing taste

  • 清新的空气qīng xīn de kōng qì

    fresh air

Similar words

清澈qīng chè: Describes water that is transparent enough for things beneath the surface to be seen clearly.
干净gān jìng: Describes something free of dirt, rubbish, or other unwanted matter.
透明tòu míng: Allows light to pass through so that what lies behind can be seen.
清晰qīng xī: Describes shapes, outlines, or sounds that are clear and not blurred.

Definition in Chinese

指水或空气等看起来干净、通透的状态；引申为人或事物本质上没有杂质或污点。zhǐ shuǐ huò kōng qì děng kàn qǐ lái gān jìng tōng tòu de zhuàng tài yǐn shēn wéi rén huò shì wù běn zhì shàng méi yǒu zá zhì huò wū diǎn

Word origin

清 (qīng, "clear") combines 氵 (shuǐ, "water") for its meaning with 青 (qīng, "blue-green") for its pronunciation, then extends from visibly clear water to untainted people and things.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use "clear" for speech or writing that is easy to understand, but this word usually points instead to visible transparency or freedom from taint.

Other meanings

  • pureadjective

Opposites

  • 污浊wū zhuóturbidadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word