Usage of 擦
The verb 擦 (cā) primarily means 'to rub' or 'to wipe.' It is commonly used when talking about cleaning surfaces, such as tables, windows, or floors. For example, 擦桌子 means 'wipe the table.'
It can also mean 'to scratch' or 'to graze' when referring to minor injuries caused by rubbing against something rough, as in 擦伤 (cāshāng), meaning 'scratch' or 'abrasion.'
Common Collocations
- 擦桌子 (wipe the table): used in daily cleaning contexts.
- 擦窗户 (wipe the window): common household chore.
- 擦伤 (scratch, abrasion): refers to minor skin injuries.
Notes
擦 is often followed by the object being wiped or rubbed. It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object. Avoid confusing 擦 with 刮 (guā), which means 'to scrape' or 'to shave off,' as 擦 implies rubbing rather than scraping.
In conversation, 擦 can also appear in idiomatic expressions or as part of compound verbs, but its core meaning remains related to rubbing or wiping.