Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| czyścić | /ˈt͡ʂɘɕ.t͡ɕit͡ɕ/ /ˈt͡ʂɨɕ.t͡ɕit͡ɕ/ (Middle, Polish) |
imperfective |
| sprzątać | /ˈspʂɔn.tat͡ɕ/ | |
| oczyszczać | /ɔˈt͡ʂɘʂ.t͡ʂat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| oczyścić | /ɔˈt͡ʂɘɕ.t͡ɕit͡ɕ/ | perfective |
The verbs used for cleaning depend on what you are cleaning and the nature of the task. sprzątać is used for general housekeeping, like tidying a room or picking up clutter. oczyszczać is used for more intensive or abstract processes, such as purifying water, cleansing the skin or spiritual purification. The adjective czysty is the standard word for 'clean' regarding objects, surfaces or environments.
Which one should you use?
czyścić and oczyszczać are imperfective, whereas oczyścić is the perfective form used for a completed action of cleaning or purifying. Use czyścić for scrubbing or polishing, sprzątać for tidying and organizing and oczyszczać for purification or cleansing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form oczyścić is the perfective version of the verb, used when the cleaning action is finished. The adjective czystusieńki is an informal way to say something is very clean or spotless.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʂɘɕ.tɕitɕ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb czyścić descends from the Proto-Slavic word *čistъ, which traces back to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to separate or divide.
- The word czysty can be used as an intensifier to mean 'sheer' or 'absolute', such as czysty przypadek for 'sheer coincidence'.
- The word czystusieńki is a diminutive of czysty and is often used when talking to children or pets to describe something as 'cute and clean'.
Examples in context
- Czy mogę pomóc ci sprzątać?Can I help you clean up?This sentence uses sprzątać to offer help with tidying up.Tatoeba #7726006 by qmak, translation #3738370 by CK
- Nie chcę czyścić psiego gówna.I don't wanna clean up dog shit.This sentence uses czyścić to express a refusal to clean up something unpleasant.Tatoeba #524042 by Bilberry, translation #25507 by speedwell
- Mój pokój jest bardzo czysty.My room is very clean.
- Te naczynia są czyste.These dishes are clean.
- Twój głos jest jak oczyszczona woda.Your voice is like purified water.
- Mężczyzna był zawsze dbały o swój wygląd.The man was always clean and neat-looking.
- Masz tutaj wszystko czystusieńkie!You have everything spotlessly clean here!
Example conversation
Paweł and Agnieszka are in the kitchen.
- PawełJak najlepiej czyścić ten stół?What is the best way to clean this table?
- AgnieszkaUżyj tylko wilgotnej szmatki.Just use a damp cloth.
- PawełCzy mam też czyścić krzesła?Should I clean the chairs too?
- AgnieszkaTak, proszę, Paweł.Yes, please, Paweł.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations and entries czyścić, sprzątać, oczyszczać, oczyścić, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries czyścić, oczyszczać, oczyścić, sprzątać, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
