Chinese word

澄清

Pronunciation

Pinyinchéng qīng

Meaning

  • verbclarify

Example

你能把这件事澄清吗？nǐ néng bǎ zhè jiàn shì chéng qīng ma

Can you clarify this matter?

Illustration for 澄清 (clarify)

More examples

她在记者会上澄清了事实。tā zài jì zhě huì shàng chéng qīng liǎo shì shí

She clarified the facts at the press conference.

Core concept

A murky matter becomes transparent when facts or a clear statement settle it.

Common phrases

  • 澄清误会chéng qīng wù huì

    clarify a misunderstanding

  • 澄清事实chéng qīng shì shí

    clarify the facts

  • 澄清立场chéng qīng lì chǎng

    clarify one's position

Similar words

解释jiě shì: Explains a meaning or cause so that it becomes easy to understand.
说明shuō míng: Gives facts or describes a situation to show meaning or explain a method.
弄清楚nòng qīng chǔ: Finds out what is true about an unclear point and makes it clear.
阐明chǎn míng: Explains facts or principles fully to prevent misunderstanding.

Definition in Chinese

消除对某件事的误解或疑问，通过说明、证据或声明使问题变得明白。xiāo chú duì mǒu jiàn shì de wù jiě huò yí wèn tōng guò shuō míng zhèng jù huò shēng míng shǐ wèn tí biàn de míng bái

Word origin

澄 (chéng, "clear water") + 清 (qīng, "clear or clean") combines two ideas of clarity to describe making an unclear matter understandable.

Usage tips

  • This verb is especially natural in a public response to a rumor or disputed claim, whereas a private exchange may use a more casual expression.

Other meanings

  • clear upverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word