Definition
清道 is a separable verb (离合词) with two distinct senses: a literal one meaning 'to clean or sweep the streets', and a historical-ceremonial one meaning 'to clear the way for a monarch or high official' (commonly seen in imperial contexts). Because it's a verb-object compound, when you add a measure word or a duration, the object '道' can split off: 清了一次道 ('cleared the way once').
v.o.
to clean/sweep the streets(historical) to clear the way for a monarch or official
Examples
- 清道。Huánwèi gōngrén měitiān qīngchén dōu yào qīng dào.Sanitation workers have to clean the streets every early morning.
- ，。Zài gǔdài, huángdì chūxíng qián wèiduì huì qīng yí cì dào.In ancient times, the guard would clear the way once before the emperor traveled.
- 清道。Zhè tiáo jiē měitiān dōu yǒu zhuānrén qīng dào.This street has someone specially assigned to clean it every day.
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