Common Meanings
1
sǎo扫
To sweep (with a broom or similar tool) to remove dust or rubbish.
每天我都会把客厅的地扫干净。
Every day I sweep the living room floor clean.
To clear, eliminate, or sweep away completely; often used in contexts like eradicating something or thoroughly cleaning.
经过大扫除，屋子里的灰尘和杂物被一扫而空。
After a thorough cleaning, the dust and clutter in the room were swept away completely.
To encompass all; to completely exhaust or include everything.
宴会开始前，宾客已扫数到齐。
Before the banquet began, all the guests had arrived.
To dampen or lose (enthusiasm, interest), often used in '扫兴' (sǎoxìng) meaning to be disappointed or to have one's spirits dampened.
这雨真扫兴，把我们的野餐计划都打乱了。
This rain really dampened our spirits; it messed up all our picnic plans.
To scan or draw, referring to actions like scanning an image or drawing eyebrows.
请扫描二维码进入会场。
Please scan the QR code to enter the venue.
To quickly sweep across or scan something.
他快速扫视了一眼教室里的学生。
He quickly scanned the students in the classroom.
To finish; to conclude a task or process.
这项工作终于要扫尾了。
This work is finally coming to an end.
To pay respects or offer sacrifice, often by visiting a grave.
每年清明，我们全家都会去给祖先扫墓
Every Qingming Festival, our entire family goes to sweep the tombs of our ancestors.
2
sào扫
Used in the term 'sàozhou' (broom), referring to a sweeping tool typically made of bundled twigs or bristles.
奶奶的扫帚放在门后。
Grandma's broom is placed behind the door.