一干二净

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yī gān èr jìng
• English Translation: Thoroughly clean (completely gone)
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（A numerical marker used alongside 二 (èr) to create a rhythmic, emphatic structure.）＋「干」（Meaning 'dry' or 'clean'; here it implies being clear of any residue or remains.）＋「二」（A numerical marker used to balance the phrase and reinforce the emphasis.）＋「净」（Meaning 'clean' or 'pure,' indicating the total absence of dirt, clutter, or leftovers.）
• Meaning: Describes a state where absolutely nothing is left. Beyond physical cleanliness, it emphasizes the total disappearance, exhaustion, or completion of an action, such as forgetting something entirely or spending all of one's money.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一干二净」 contains the following nuances:

• Thorough Disappearance: This idiom emphasizes a state of 'nothingness' rather than just being tidy. It is frequently used in contexts where food is finished, money is gone, or memories have vanished.
• Rhythm and Emphasis: The structure using the numbers 一 (yī) and 二 (èr) is a rhetorical device. It serves to balance the four-character phrase and add emphasis to the description, rather than representing a literal count.

3. Usage

「一干二净」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Disappearance or Consumption: This is the most common usage. It follows verbs like 'forget,' 'eat,' or 'spend' (often using the particle 得) to show that the object is entirely gone.
  • Example:「那件事过了太久，我早就忘得一干二净了。」
    （That matter happened so long ago that I have completely forgotten it.）
• Cleaning and Organizing: Used to describe the result of cleaning a room or place until there is no trash or dirt left.
  • Example:「搬家前，我们把房子打扫得一干二净。」
    （Before moving, we cleaned the house thoroughly.）
• Severing Relationships: Used when completely cutting off ties or involvement with someone or something.
  • Example:「他和过去的坏朋友断得一干二净。」
    （He completely broke off his relationship with his former bad influences.）

Additional Examples:

1. 刚发的工资，没几天就被他花得一干二净。
   （He completely spent his newly received salary in just a few days.）
2. 桌子上的菜被大家吃得一干二净。
   （The food on the table was completely finished off by everyone.）
3. 经过警方的打击，这里的犯罪团伙被消灭得一干二净。
   （The criminal gang here was wiped out completely after the police crackdown.）
4. 你怎么把答应我的事抛到脑后，忘得一干二净？
   （How could you put the promise you made to me out of your mind and forget it entirely?）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Colloquial Tone: This is a highly informal and common expression used frequently in daily spoken Chinese.
• The 'One-Two' Pattern: Chinese features many idioms that use the numbers 一 (yī) and 二 (èr) to emphasize a specific state, such as 一清二楚 (yī qīng èr chǔ), which means 'crystal clear.' In these cases, the numbers do not carry their literal numerical meanings.
• Contextual Nuance: Because it is often used when things disappear—like money being spent or promises being forgotten—it can sometimes carry a nuance of loss, frustration, or even irresponsibility depending on the situation.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一尘不染 (yī chén bù rǎn): Spotless or pure; often used to describe a clean environment or a person's high moral character.
  • 空空如也 (kōng kōng rú yě): Completely empty; having nothing inside.
  • 荡然无存 (dàng rán wú cún): Completely vanished or destroyed, leaving no trace.link
  • 无影无踪 (wú yǐng wú zōng): To disappear completely without a trace.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 乱七八糟 (luàn qī bā zāo): A total mess; in a state of great confusion or disorder.link
  • 拖泥带水 (tuō ní dài shuǐ): Messy or sloppy; literally 'dragging through mud and water,' used for tasks not handled cleanly or decisively.
  • 一塌糊涂 (yī tā hú tú): In a complete mess or muddle.link

6. Summary

一干二净 (yī gān èr jìng) is a colloquial idiom used to emphasize that something has been cleared away or has vanished completely. It is most commonly used as a complement after verbs like 'forget,' 'spend,' or 'eat' to indicate that not a single trace remains.