清楚 (qīngchu)

清楚 means clear, distinct, or clearly understood. It describes something that is easy to perceive or understand, whether a sound, image, explanation, or situation. It can also mean to be clear about something as a verb. Its opposite is 模糊 (blurry, vague).

Meanings

[adjective] Clear; distinct; easy to perceive or understand.
[verb] To be clear about; to understand clearly.

Example Sentences

你说得不清楚，再说一遍。 Nǐ shuō de bù qīngchu, zài shuō yī biàn. You did not explain clearly; say it again.

照片拍得很清楚。 Zhàopiàn pāi de hěn qīngchu. The photo was taken very clearly.

我不清楚他为什么这么做。 Wǒ bù qīngchu tā wèishénme zhème zuò. I am not clear about why he did this.

请说清楚你的要求。 Qǐng shuō qīngchu nǐ de yāoqiú. Please state your requirements clearly.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
说清楚	to say clearly; to explain clearly
看清楚	to see clearly
听清楚	to hear clearly
搞清楚	to figure out clearly
不清楚	unclear; not sure

Memory Hook

清 (clear water) plus 楚 (distinct). Imagine clear, still water where you can see all the way to the bottom without any murkiness. That transparency is 清楚. Its opposite is 模糊 (móhu), meaning blurry or vague. When someone says 我不清楚, they are not just saying they do not know; they are saying the picture in their mind is not yet clear enough to be certain.