清 qīng — clear; distinct; complete; pure
河水很清，能看见水底的石头。Hé shuǐ hěn qīng, néng kàn jiàn shuǐ dǐ de shí tou.The river water is so clear you can see the stones at the bottom.
Common words: 清楚 (qīng chu)、清醒 (qīng xǐng)、清理 (qīng lǐ)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "distinct"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "distinct", including 清 (qīng), 较 (jiào), 楚 (chǔ). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "distinct" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 清 (qīng), 较 (jiào), 楚 (chǔ) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span qīng, jiào, chǔ — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 清 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 清 qīngclear; distinct; complete; pureUseful words: 清楚, 清醒
- 较 jiàoclear; distinct; compare; comparativelyUseful words: 比较, 较量
- 楚 chǔ(surname); ancient place name; distinct; clear; orderly; painUseful words: 清楚, 苦楚
Common words for these 3 "distinct" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 清 (qīng) — so "distinct" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
清楚qīng chuclear; distinct; to understand thoroughly; to be clear about清醒qīng xǐngclear-headed; sober; awake清理qīng lǐto clear up; to tidy up; to dispose of比较bǐ jiàoto compare; to contrast; comparatively; relatively较量jiào liàngto pit oneself against sb; to compete with sb; contest; battle计较jì jiàoto bother about; to haggle; to bicker; to argue清楚qīng chuclear; distinct; to understand thoroughly; to be clear about苦楚kǔ chǔsuffering; misery; pain (esp. psychological)痛楚tòng chǔpain; anguish; suffering
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "distinct".
较 jiào — clear; distinct; compare; comparatively
今天的作业比较多。Jīn tiān de zuò yè bǐ jiào duō.There is relatively a lot of homework today.
Common words: 比较 (bǐ jiào)、较量 (jiào liàng)、计较 (jì jiào)
楚 chǔ — (surname); ancient place name; distinct; clear; orderly; pain
请把字写清楚一点儿。Qǐng bǎ zì xiě qīng chu yì diǎnr.Please write the characters a little more clearly.
Common words: 清楚 (qīng chu)、苦楚 (kǔ chǔ)、痛楚 (tòng chǔ)
All 3 characters
Open 清、较、楚 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.