消除

• Pinyin: xiāo chú
• Hanzi breakdown: 消 = 氵 (water) + 肖 (resemble), meaning to dissolve; 除 = 阝 (mound) + 余 (surplus), meaning to remove

Meaning

To eliminate; to remove; to dispel. Indicates getting rid of something unwanted or harmful.

Used for removing negative things like doubts, misunderstandings, barriers, fatigue, or threats. Often collocates with abstract nouns like 误会 (misunderstanding), 疑虑 (doubts), 障碍 (obstacles), or 隔阂 (barriers). More formal than 去除.

Examples

1. 这次谈话消除了我们之间的误会。 This conversation cleared up the misunderstanding between us.
2. 运动可以帮助消除疲劳。 Exercise can help eliminate fatigue.
3. 我们要努力消除贫困，让每个人都过上好日子。 We must work hard to eliminate poverty so that everyone can live a good life.

Usage Guide

Context: problem-solving, policy

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 我们需要消除一切安全隐患。(We need to eliminate all safety hazards.)
• 误会已经消除了。(The misunderstanding has been cleared up.)

Don't Say

• 消除这个东西 (Too vague — 消除 works better with abstract problems; use 扔掉 or 处理 for physical objects)

Origin & History

Compound of 消 (to disappear, to eliminate) and 除 (to remove), reinforcing the meaning of removal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal