What does it mean word for word?
很干净 consists of 很 (hěn), meaning 'very' and 干净 (gānjìng), meaning 'clean'.
Which one should you use?
Depending on your context, you might choose different expressions. For a formal tone, you can use 非常干净 (fēi cháng gān jìng) for 'very clean' or the idiom 一尘不染 (yī chén bù rǎn), which means 'not a speck of dust' and is used for spotless environments. To emphasize both cleanliness and perfection, the formal expression 整洁无瑕 (zhěng jié wú xiá) can be used. In informal settings, you can say 超级干净 (chāo jí gān jìng) to mean 'super clean'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the phrase 好乾爽 (hou2 gon1 song3) is used to convey a 'clean and refreshing feeling'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, when using an adjective like 干净 to describe a noun, the adverb 很 is typically used instead of the verb 'to be' (是).
How do you pronounce it?
hěn gānjìng
Did you know?
- In the idiom 一尘不染 (yī chén bù rǎn), the word 'dust' (尘) refers to worldly desires and attachments in Buddhist philosophy.
- While 很 (hěn) is translated as 'very', in the phrase 很干净 it often functions as a grammatical placeholder and may not actually add any intensity to the meaning.
- The word 干净 (gānjìng) can describe a person's character or a deal as 'clean' in the sense of being honest or without corruption.
Examples in context
- 这个房间非常干净!This room is very clean!
- 餐厅整洁无瑕，让人舒心The restaurant is spotless, making people feel at ease.
- 这里超级干净，你会喜欢的！It's super clean here, you will love it!
- 家里干干净净的，真舒服The house is so neat and clean, it's really comfortable.
- 这个房间很干净。Zhège fángjiān hěn gānjìng.This room is very clean.
- 他的衣服很干净。Tā de yīfú hěn gānjìng.His clothes are very clean.
- 洗手间很干净。Xǐshǒu jiān hěn gānjìng.The restroom is very clean.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are visiting a new apartment.
- 伟 Wei这里的地板很干净。Zhèlǐ de dìbǎn hěn gānjìng.The floor here is very clean.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，我也觉得很干净。Shì de, wǒ yě juédé hěn gānjìng.Yes, I also think it is very clean.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你喜欢这个新家吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ xǐhuān zhège xīn jiā ma?Xiaowen, do you like this new home?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我很喜欢。Wǒ hěn xǐhuān.I like it very much.
