核心畫面

Think of one cut that goes all the way through in a single movement, and the smooth edge it leaves behind. Nothing is torn, nothing is still joined by threads, nothing is left on the blade. From that edge you can reach everything this word does: a stick that snaps, a partnership that ends with nothing still in dispute, a fire that burns away without leaving smoke or ash. The adjective sits slightly apart — it is about a person or an animal who keeps things clean by habit, and even sounds different.

可以想成一刀到底的那個動作,以及它留下的平整斷面:沒有撕裂、沒有藕斷絲連、刀上也沒有沾著東西。從這個斷面出發,這個字更多收起可以想成一刀到底的那個動作,以及它留下的平整斷面:沒有撕裂、沒有藕斷絲連、刀上也沒有沾著東西。從這個斷面出發,這個字的用法都走得通:樹枝一下折斷、合作關係一次了結沒有後續、燃料燒完不留黑煙與殘渣。形容詞那一支稍微站在旁邊——它講的是人或動物「本來就愛乾淨」的習慣,連讀音都不一樣。

From the word’s history

The packet's source entries give both words as clean + -ly: the adverb from Old English clǣnlīċe, the adjective from Old English clǣnlīċ. English clean carries 'free of dirt' and also 'whole, with nothing extra left'; the adverb took mostly the second road.

資料上說這兩個字都是 clean 加 -ly:副詞來自古英語 clǣnlīċe,形容詞來自 clǣnlīċ。英文 clean 同時有「沒有髒東西」和「完整、不留多餘」兩面,副詞走的多半是後面那一條。

Wiktionary entries for cleanly (adjective and adverb), supplied in this packet: adjective from Old English clǣnlīċ, adverb from Old English clǣnlīċe, both clean + -ly.

Two branches

一次到位,斷面乾淨

核心畫面的原樣,以及它往人的事情上延伸的一步。

r · B2

In one quick, smooth movement, so that nothing tears, catches or is left ragged. Used when something breaks, cuts, goes through, or is hit or caught exactly right.

俐落地、一次到位地

燒完、用完不留髒東西

斷面換成「排出來的東西」:走完一遍之後,什麼也沒有留下來。

r · B2

In a way that makes no dirt, smoke or waste.

不產生髒污地、潔淨地