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打扫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
打扫dǎsǎoto cleanHSK 3, v, rank #2991, Medium
打扫dǎsǎoto sweepHSK 3, v, rank #2991, Medium
dǎsǎo(da3sao3) T3
  1. 1to clean
  2. 2to sweep
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March 24, 2026
打扫(打掃)dǎsǎo(da3sao3)

打扫 (dǎsǎo) means to clean or tidy up a space, often involving sweeping or dusting. It is commonly used in both household contexts and in references to cleaning public or shared spaces. The term emphasizes the action of removing dirt or mess to create a neat environment.

Frequency#2991DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, particularly in homes where it is believed to attract good fortune. Regular cleaning rituals, especially during the Lunar New Year, are seen as essential for starting the year fresh.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant 'Dart' (similar to '打') sailing through a messy room, sweeping away dust and dirt with a 'Sao' (扫) broom. Visualize the dart cleaning up as it flies, helping you remember that '打扫' means to clean.

Meanings of 打扫

dǎsǎo(da3sao3)
1to clean
2to sweep
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 打扫

打扫Simplified
打掃Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2991Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 打扫

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Podcast: 打扫

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AI Study Notes for 打扫

Quick Contrast

清理 (qīnglǐ) vs 打扫 (dǎsǎo): use 清理 for organizing or removing items, not just cleaning surfaces; 整理 (zhěnglǐ) vs 打扫 (dǎsǎo): use 整理 when focusing on tidying up or arranging items rather than cleaning dirt.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant 'Dart' (similar to '打') sailing through a messy room, sweeping away dust and dirt with a 'Sao' (扫) broom. Visualize the dart cleaning up as it flies, helping you remember that '打扫' means to clean.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using '打扫' in overly formal contexts where simpler terms like '清洁 (qīngjié)' might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing the character for '打' could change the meaning entirely. Typical collocations include '打扫卫生 (dǎsǎo wèishēng)' for 'cleaning hygiene' or '打扫房间 (dǎsǎo fángjiān)' for 'cleaning the room.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, '打扫' connects with other verbs related to actions, such as '洗 (xǐ)' meaning to wash. Students should focus on practicing it in sentences, combining it with objects like '房间' (room) or '地板' (floor) to enhance their vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, particularly in homes where it is believed to attract good fortune. Regular cleaning rituals, especially during the Lunar New Year, are seen as essential for starting the year fresh.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '打扫' with '整理 (zhěnglǐ)', which means to organize rather than just clean. For example, saying '我打扫书' (I clean books) is incorrect; it should be '我整理书' (I organize books).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 打扫

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Component Characters

打dǎto beat
HSK 25 strokes扌
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扫sǎoto sweep
HSK 36 strokes扌
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Write 打扫

打
扫

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Grammar Patterns of 打扫

打扫 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 2 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我不在的时候，你____一下厨房总该可以吧。

And while I'm out you might clean up the kitchen.

Example Sentences for 打扫 (10)

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1
我不在的时候，你打扫一下厨房总该可以吧。

wǒ bù zài de shí hòu， ， nǐ dǎ sǎo yī xià chú fáng zǒng gāi kě yǐ。

And while I'm out you might clean up the kitchen.
2
她会把房子彻底打扫一下。

tā huì bǎ fáng zǐ chè dǐ dǎ sǎo yī xià。

She would clean the house from top to bottom.
3
那位女服务员已开始打扫房间.

nà wèi nǚ fú wù yuán yǐ kāi shǐ dǎ sǎo fáng jiān.

The girl attendant has set about cleaning the room.
4
你最好先在地上洒一层水,然后再打扫.

nǐ zuì hǎo xiān zài dì shàng sǎ yī céng shuǐ, , rán hòu zài dǎ.

You'd better damp down the ground and then sweep it.
5
我请人打扫了你的房间并通了风。

wǒ qǐng rén dǎ sǎo le nǐ de fáng jiān bìng tōng le fēng。

I had your rooms cleaned and aired.
6
一周七天,天天做饭 、 打扫、熨衣服. 这是什么鬼日子!

yī zhōu qī tiān, , tiān tiān zuò、 fàn 、、 dǎ sǎo 、. yùn yī fú . zhè shì shí!

Cooking, cleaning and ironing seven days a week. What a life ！
7
打扫完后把地扫一扫.

dǎ sǎo wán hòu bǎ dì sǎo yī sǎo.

Please brush the floor over when you have finished.
8
茶房打扫地下的香烟头,洒了许多水.

chá fáng dǎ sǎo dì xià de xiāng yān tóu, , sǎ le xǔ duō.

The cleaners were sprinkling water on the floor and sweeping up the cigarette - ends.
9
我们如果不打扫房间,灰尘很快就会积聚起厚厚的一层.

wǒ mén rú guǒ bù dǎ sǎo fáng jiān, , huī chén hěn kuài jiù huì jī jù qǐ hòu hòu de yī.

Dust quickly accumulates if we don't sweep our room.
10
家具下面还有一团团的毛和尘埃, 请彻底打扫一下.

jiā jù xià miàn huán yǒu yī tuán tuán de máo hé chén āi, , qǐng chè dǐ dǎ sǎo yī.

There's fluff and dust under the furniture. Please clean it properly.

Cultural Notes for 打扫

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, cleanliness is highly valued, particularly in homes where it is believed to attract good fortune. Regular cleaning rituals, especially during the Lunar New Year, are seen as essential for starting the year fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions about 打扫

No, '打扫' is not used for clothes; you would use '洗' (xǐ) for washing.