청소하다(cheong-so-ha-da, cheongsohada)
The act of making a place clean by removing dust, trash, etc.
When to use
floor dust removal, trash disposal, bathroom cleaning
The nuance
Used when removing dust or dirt from spaces or objects.
청소하다 vs 정리하다: Two Sides of Tidiness
청소하다 (cheong-so-ha-da, cheongsohada) · 정리하다 (jeong-ri-ha-da, jeongrihada)
'청소하다' means to clean by removing dust or trash, while '정리하다' means to organize by putting things in order.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
정리하다(jeong-ri-ha-da, jeongrihada)
The act of arranging things neatly by putting them in place or ordering them.
When to use
desk item arrangement, document sorting, closet organizing
The nuance
Used when arranging objects or spaces orderly or in sequence.
Real-world examples
나는 매일 방을 청소한다.
na-neun mae-il bang-eul cheong-so-han-da., na neun mae il bang eul cheong so han da.
Since it involves removing dust and trash from the room, '청소하다' is correct.
나는 매일 방을 정리한다.
na-neun mae-il bang-eul jeong-ri-han-da., na neun mae il bang eul jeong ri han da.
Appropriate because it means putting things in order inside the room.
바닥에 떨어진 먼지를 정리했다.
ba-dak-e tteol-eo-jin meon-ji-reul jeong-ri-haess-da., ba dak e tteol eo jin meon ji reul jeong ri haess da.
Dust is something to be removed, so '청소하다' should be used.
서류를 청소했다.
seo-ryu-reul cheong-so-haess-da., seo ryu reul cheong so haess da.
Documents are arranged, so '정리하다' is correct.
옷장을 청소했다.
os-jang-eul cheong-so-haess-da., os jang eul cheong so haess da.
If cleaning dust or dirt inside the closet, '청소하다' is appropriate.
옷장을 정리했다.
os-jang-eul jeong-ri-haess-da., os jang eul jeong ri haess da.
Putting clothes neatly in place means '정리하다' is correct.
책상을 청소했다.
chaek-sang-eul cheong-so-haess-da., chaek sang eul cheong so haess da.
Cleaning dust or dirt on the desk means '청소하다' is correct.
책상을 정리했다.
chaek-sang-eul jeong-ri-haess-da., chaek sang eul jeong ri haess da.
Arranging items on the desk means '정리하다' is correct.
Quick quiz
Which of the following means removing dust and trash?
다음 중 먼지와 쓰레기를 제거하는 행위는?(da-eumjungmeon-ji-wasseu-re-gi-reulje-geo-ha-neunhaeng-wi-neun?, daeumjungmeonjiwasseuregireuljegeohaneunhaengwineun?)Putting items on the desk in order is?
책상 위 물건을 제자리에 놓는 것은?(chaek-sangwimul-geon-eulje-ja-ri-enoh-neungeos-eun?, chaeksangwimulgeoneuljejarienohneungeoseun?)Which word is used when removing dust on the bathroom floor?
화장실에서 바닥의 먼지를 제거할 때 쓰는 말은?(hwa-jang-sil-e-seoba-dak-uimeon-ji-reulje-geo-halttaesseu-neunmal-eun?, hwajangsileseobadakuimeonjireuljegeohalttaesseuneunmaleun?)Sorting documents by type is?
서류를 종류별로 분류하는 행위는?(seo-ryu-reuljong-ryu-byeol-robun-ryu-ha-neunhaeng-wi-neun?, seoryureuljongryubyeolrobunryuhaneunhaengwineun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 일어나다 vs 기상하다: Natural Expressions for Getting Up
- 씻다 vs 목욕하다: Levels of Cleanliness in Korean
- 먹다 vs 먹어치우다: Basic vs Strong Eating Expressions
- 요리하다 vs 해주다: Cooking vs Doing for Someone
- 타다 vs 내리다: Getting On and Off Vehicles
- 입다 vs 벗다: Differences in Clothing Verbs
- 사다 vs 구매하다: Everyday vs Formal Buying Expressions
- 팔다 vs 판매하다: Everyday vs Formal Selling