====== zhěngjié: 整洁 - Tidy, Neat, Clean and Orderly ======
===== Quick Summary =====
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  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **整洁 (zhěngjié)**, meaning "tidy," "neat," or "clean and orderly." This HSK 4 adjective is essential for describing everything from a tidy room and neat handwriting to a person's clean appearance. Discover the cultural importance of orderliness in China and understand the key difference between **整洁 (zhěngjié)** and the more basic word for "clean," **干净 (gānjìng)**. This guide provides practical examples, common mistakes, and related terms to help you master its usage in daily conversation.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhěng jié
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** 4
  * **Concise Definition:** Tidy, neat, and clean, emphasizing both orderliness and the absence of dirt.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **整洁 (zhěngjié)** as "tidy plus." It's not just about being "clean" (干净, gānjìng), but also about being well-organized, orderly, and neat. A desk can be wiped clean of dust but still be messy with papers everywhere—that's **干净** but not **整洁**. A desk that is both clean and has everything arranged neatly in its place is **整洁**. It describes a state of pleasing order.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **整 (zhěng):** This character means "orderly," "whole," or "to tidy up." It's composed of **正 (zhèng)**, meaning "correct" or "proper," and the radical **攵 (pū)**, which represents an action or a gentle tap. Together, they suggest the action of making things correct and orderly.
  * **洁 (jié):** This character means "clean." It features the water radical **氵(shuǐ)** on the left, indicating washing or purification. The right side, **吉 (jí)**, means "auspicious" or "lucky" and contributes to the sound. So, **洁** is the pure, clean state you get after washing with water.
  * **Together, 整洁 (zhěngjié)** combines the concepts of order (**整**) and cleanliness (**洁**) to create a powerful, holistic word for a state that is both tidy and clean.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, **整洁 (zhěngjié)** is more than just a preference; it's often seen as a virtue. A person's environment (their home, their desk) and their personal appearance are considered reflections of their inner state, discipline, and self-respect. A **整洁** space suggests a clear, organized mind, while a **整洁** appearance shows respect for oneself and for the people one interacts with.
This contrasts with the Western concept of "tidiness," which is often viewed as a personal habit or organizational style. In China, maintaining a **整洁** environment can be a social expectation. For example, in schools and offices, there's often a collective responsibility to keep shared spaces **整洁**. An untidy appearance, especially in a formal or professional setting like a job interview, might be interpreted not just as carelessness, but as a lack of sincerity or respect for the occasion.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**整洁 (zhěngjié)** is a common and versatile adjective used in both formal and informal contexts.
  * **Describing Places:** It's frequently used to describe rooms, houses, offices, and even cities.
    * //e.g., 他的公寓非常整洁。 (His apartment is very tidy.)//
  * **Describing Appearance:** It can describe a person's clothing, hair, or overall look, implying they are well-groomed and neat.
    * //e.g., 面试时要穿得整洁一点。 (You should dress a bit more neatly for the interview.)//
  * **Describing Abstract things:** It can apply to things like handwriting or the layout of a document.
    * //e.g., 你的笔记很整洁，借我看看。 (Your notes are so neat, let me borrow them.)//
  * **In Instructions and Rules:** You will often see it on signs in public places.
    * //e.g., 请保持环境整洁。 (Please keep the environment tidy.)//
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 她的房间总是又干净又**整洁**。
    * Pinyin: Tā de fángjiān zǒngshì yòu gānjìng yòu **zhěngjié**.
    * English: Her room is always both clean and tidy.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the "又...又..." (yòu...yòu...) structure to emphasize two qualities. It highlights that **整洁** includes and builds upon the idea of **干净** (gānjìng - clean).
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 老师要求我们的书写必须**整洁**。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen de shūxiě bìxū **zhěngjié**.
    * English: The teacher requires that our handwriting must be neat.
    * Analysis: Here, **整洁** is used to describe an abstract quality (handwriting). It means the writing should be easy to read, well-formed, and not messy.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 面试的时候，第一印象很重要，所以衣着要**整洁**。
    * Pinyin: Miànshì de shíhòu, dì yī yìnxiàng hěn zhòngyào, suǒyǐ yīzhuó yào **zhěngjié**.
    * English: During a job interview, the first impression is very important, so your clothing should be neat and tidy.
    * Analysis: This sentence directly links **整洁** to the cultural value of presenting oneself properly in a formal situation. It means clean, ironed, and well-put-together.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 请大家保持会议室的**整洁**。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā bǎochí huìyìshì de **zhěngjié**.
    * English: Everyone, please maintain the tidiness of the conference room.
    * Analysis: A common, polite request used in professional settings. **保持 (bǎochí)** means "to maintain," a verb often paired with **整洁**.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 这家酒店的客房非常**整洁**明亮。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā jiǔdiàn de kèfáng fēicháng **zhěngjié** míngliàng.
    * English: This hotel's guest rooms are very tidy and bright.
    * Analysis: A typical phrase you might see in a hotel review or advertisement. **整洁** is a key selling point for accommodation.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 他虽然很忙，但办公桌总是收拾得很**整洁**。
    * Pinyin: Tā suīrán hěn máng, dàn bàngōngzhuō zǒngshì shōushi de hěn **zhěngjié**.
    * English: Although he is very busy, his desk is always kept very tidy.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses **收拾 (shōushi)**, "to tidy up," to show the action that results in the state of **整洁**.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他的笔记字迹**整洁**，一目了然。
    * Pinyin: Tā de bǐjì zìjì **zhěngjié**, yī mù liǎorán.
    * English: His notes' handwriting is neat, and it's clear at a glance.
    * Analysis: This shows **整洁** being praised alongside the idiom **一目了然 (yī mù liǎorán)**, meaning "clear at a glance," which reinforces the idea of good organization.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 城市**整洁**的街道给游客留下了好印象。
    * Pinyin: Chéngshì **zhěngjié** de jiēdào gěi yóukè liúxiàle hǎo yìnxiàng.
    * English: The city's clean and orderly streets left a good impression on the tourists.
    * Analysis: **整洁** can be used to describe large-scale public spaces, not just personal ones.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 把你的玩具收拾**整洁**，不然妈妈要生气了。
    * Pinyin: Bǎ nǐ de wánjù shōushi **zhěngjié**, bùrán māma yào shēngqì le.
    * English: Tidy up your toys, otherwise Mom will get angry.
    * Analysis: A classic sentence a parent might say to a child. It shows how the concept of tidiness is taught from a young age.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 她穿着一身**整洁**的连衣裙，看起来很精神。
    * Pinyin: Tā chuānzhe yī shēn **zhěngjié** de liányīqún, kàn qǐlái hěn jīngshén.
    * English: She was wearing a neat dress and looked very sharp/energetic.
    * Analysis: This connects a **整洁** appearance to the positive state of being **精神 (jīngshén)**, which means "energetic," "lively," or "sharp."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **整洁 (zhěngjié)** and **干净 (gānjìng)**.
  * **干净 (gānjìng)** just means "clean," as in the opposite of "dirty."
  * **整洁 (zhěngjié)** means "clean **AND** orderly."
Think of it this way: **整洁** always implies **干净**, but **干净** does not always imply **整洁**.
**Common Mistake Example:**
  * **Scenario:** You've wiped your desk clean, but your books and papers are still in a messy pile.
  * **Incorrect:** 我的书桌很**整洁**。 (Wǒ de shūzhuō hěn **zhěngjié**.) - //This is wrong because while clean, the desk is not orderly.//
  * **Correct:** 我的书桌很**干净**，但是有点儿乱。 (Wǒ de shūzhuō hěn **gānjìng**, dànshì yǒudiǎnr luàn.) - //"My desk is clean, but a little messy." This is accurate.//
  * **Correct (if it were also tidy):** 我把书桌收拾得又**干净**又**整洁**。 (Wǒ bǎ shūzhuō shōushi de yòu **gānjìng** yòu **zhěngjié**.) - //"I tidied my desk so it's both clean and neat."//
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[干净]] (gānjìng) - Clean. The most basic term for the absence of dirt. A component of **整洁**.
  * [[整齐]] (zhěngqí) - Neat, orderly. A very close synonym to **整洁**, but it focuses slightly more on the "order and arrangement" aspect and less on the "cleanliness" aspect. They are often interchangeable.
  * [[乱]] (luàn) - Messy, chaotic. The direct antonym of **整洁** and **整齐**.
  * [[邋遢]] (lātā) - Sloppy, slovenly. An adjective used to describe a person's messy appearance or habits. It's the antonym of a person who keeps themselves **整洁**.
  * [[整理]] (zhěnglǐ) - To tidy up, to organize. This is the //verb// of putting things in order to make a space **整洁**.
  * [[打扫]] (dǎsǎo) - To clean, to sweep. This is the //verb// of removing dirt to make a space **干净**. You often **打扫** and **整理** to achieve a **整洁** state.
  * [[清洁]] (qīngjié) - Clean; to clean. More formal than **干净**. Often used as a noun ("cleanliness") or in compound words like **清洁工 (qīngjié gōng)**, meaning "janitor/cleaner."