英语相似词辨析 clean，cleanse

clean，cleanse¹

用作动词时，clean很易和另一动词cleanse混淆不清。

Clean的意思是“使洁净”、“把…去垢”（to make clean by washing，dusting，sweeping or brushing）。如：to clean a dress，room，hand，shoe，watch等。例：

Please clean your shoes．

请把鞋刷干净。

He cleaned the floor with water．

他用水冲洗地板。

I have got my watch cleaned in a watch－shop．

我的表已在一家钟表店清洁过了。

Cleanse的意思是“清洗干净”，“使…纯洁”（to make thoroughly² clean or make pure）。为此，cleanse含有“彻底洗清”之意味，语义比clean强得多。clean和cleanse的另一区别是前者为一般用语；后者是正式的（formal）或古旧的用语，有时它还能用于比喻意义，例如to cleanse one's soul洗涤心灵；to cleanse the heart of sin 洗心革面；ethnic³ cleansing⁴种族清洗/灭绝。

下面请看例句：

We have cleansed⁵ the garden of weeds．

我们已把花园里的杂草清除干净。

She bought some detergent⁶ and antiseptic from a dyeing and cleansing store．

她从一家洗染商店买了洗洁精和消毒剂。

You must cleanse your heart and soul．

你必须洗心革面，重新做人。

Cleansed of guilt⁷ by atonement，he felt light of heart again．

通过赎罪的方式洗清他的罪行后，他的心变得再次安乐。

That tribe is facing ethnic cleansing．

那部落正面临种族灭绝的厄运。

请注意，cleanser是cleanse的名词，它有两个不同的意义，一个是“清洁剂”（a liquid we use for cleaning something），另一个是“做清洁工作的人”（a person who is employed to clean something）。

1 cleanse   

vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗

参考例句：

• Health experts are trying to cleanse the air in cities. 卫生专家们正设法净化城市里的空气。
• Fresh fruit juices can also cleanse your body and reduce dark circles.新鲜果汁同样可以清洁你的身体,并对黑眼圈同样有抑制作用。

2 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 cleansing   

n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词

参考例句：

• medicated cleansing pads for sensitive skin 敏感皮肤药物清洗棉
• Soap is not the only cleansing agent. 肥皂并不是唯一的清洁剂。

5 cleansed   

弄干净，清洗( cleanse的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The nurse cleansed the wound before stitching it. 护士先把伤口弄干净后才把它缝合。
• The notorious Hell Row was burned down in a fire, and much dirt was cleansed away. 臭名远场的阎王路已在一场大火中化为乌有，许多焦土灰烬被清除一空。

6 detergent   

n.洗涤剂；adj.有洗净力的

参考例句：

• He recommended a new detergent to me.他向我推荐一种新的洗涤剂。
• This detergent can remove stubborn stains.这种去污剂能去除难洗的污渍。

7 guilt   

n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责

参考例句：

• She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
• Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。