清醒

No base JSON record found for this token.

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"清醒" (qīngxǐng) describes a state of being mentally clear and awake, often used to indicate someone is not confused or intoxicated. It can refer to literal wakefulness or a figurative clear-headedness in thinking.

Common Contexts

It is frequently used to describe someone who is sober after drinking alcohol, or someone who remains rational and focused under stress.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 清醒: clear mind, used to emphasize mental clarity.
  • 保持清醒: to stay clear-headed, often in difficult situations.
  • 清醒: not clear-headed after drinking, implying intoxication.

Usage Notes

"清醒" is often contrasted with states of confusion, drunkenness, or sleepiness. It is a neutral to formal term and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. Avoid confusing it with "" which specifically means "to wake up" physically.

Example Sentences

After drinking coffee, he became very clear-headed and was able to focus on

Even under great pressure, she still maintained a clear-headed mind.

He was not clear-headed after drinking and did many regrettable things.