扫地
sǎodì
To sweep the floor in Chinese is 扫地 (sǎodì).
扫地 is used to describe the specific action of cleaning a floor using a broom to remove dust and dirt. If you want to express the broader action of cleaning a room or a general space, you would use 打扫 instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a verb-object construction consisting of the verb 扫 (sǎo), meaning 'to sweep' and the noun 地 (dì), meaning 'ground' or 'floor'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 扫地 is a verb-object construction, it can be split by other words, such as those indicating duration or frequency. Additionally, when expressing that the action of sweeping has been completed, the aspect particle 了 is often inserted between the verb and the object, forming 扫了地 (swept the floor).
How do you pronounce it?
sǎodì
Did you know?
- The term 扫地僧 (sǎodì sēng), meaning 'sweeping monk', is a popular cultural trope for a hidden master. It refers to a character who appears to be a lowly janitor but possesses supreme martial arts or wisdom.
- In traditional Chinese culture, sweeping the floor on the first day of the Lunar New Year is often avoided. Doing so is believed to 'sweep away' the good luck and wealth for the coming year.
- The word 扫 (sǎo) is also used in the term 扫码, which means 'to scan a QR code'. This reflects how the physical motion of sweeping across a surface transitioned into the digital act of scanning.
Examples in context
- 你必须扫地。You have to sweep the floor.This sentence uses 扫地 to express a requirement.Tatoeba #1749249 by sadhen, translation #10006693 by DJ_Saidez
- 我让他扫地了。I made him sweep the floor.This sentence uses 扫地 to show an action that was caused or made to happen.Tatoeba #793586 by U2FS, translation #260438 by CK
- 请你在客人到达之前打扫地板好吗？Could you please sweep the floor before the guests arrive?
- 饭后能帮我扫地吗？Could you help me sweep the floor after dinner?
Example conversation
At home, Jia Yi asks Jun Jie to help with chores.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你能去扫地吗？Jùnjié, nǐ néng qù sǎodì ma?Jun Jie, can you go sweep the floor?
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我这就去。Hǎo de, wǒ zhè jiù qù.Okay, I'll go do it right now.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，真是太好了。Xièxiè nǐ, zhēnshì tài hǎo le.Thank you, that's wonderful.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，这是我该做的。Méi wèntí, zhè shì wǒ gāi zuò de.No problem, it's my duty.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
