2

How would one say "clean" as in "Clean a city" For example, in english we would say. "Once a month everyone in Rwanda leaves their house to clean the city"

Could I say "打扫城市“ ”把城市弄干净”? Or is there a better way of doing this?

1
  • Do you mean clean the city as in rid it of corruption?
    – Tommie C.
    Commented Jul 25, 2014 at 10:54

2 Answers 2

2

You could use 清洁城市 or 清潔城市. 打扫 also means clean but it is usually used when cleaning (actually sweeping) happens in a smaller area (i.e. cleaning your place / your room etc)

4
  • 1
    Speaking of size, I would also not use the object marker 把 in conjunction with 城市 or anything that is considerably larger than what a hand can grasp. I would use constructs such as 让 or 将 instead.
    – user4452
    Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 21:47
  • So I couldn't say 把飞机弄干净? does 把 really imply size?
    – Stephen
    Commented Jul 27, 2014 at 0:46
  • What about a road? Could I say 他们去打扫他们的路
    – Stephen
    Commented Jul 27, 2014 at 0:48
  • 1
    @Stephen Since 打扫 is the action of sweeping, you can apply it - i.e. you will sweep the road but usually you don't sweep an airplane.
    – Alex
    Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 13:37
1

I think your best bet is: 清洁 it's usually used as an adjective like:

clean; sanitary

她的房间整齐清洁。

²Tā de fángjiān zhěngqí qīngjié.

Her room is tidy and clean. -ABC

But! It's also used frequently as a verb!

In china at the moment a lot of cities even have 清洁城市活动 or 清洁城市日.

4
  • Could I say that the individuals than go 清洁? As in “所有的卢旺达人回去清洁”
    – Stephen
    Commented Jul 27, 2014 at 1:14
  • Sure...but 回去清洁 what?
    – Mou某
    Commented Jul 27, 2014 at 2:31
  • 会去清洁 I meant to use 会
    – Stephen
    Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 19:54
  • Na I meant they will clean what? What will they clean?
    – Mou某
    Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 22:26

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.