# 一尘不染

yī chén bù rǎn

Be spotless or morally untainted

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Not touched by a single speck of dust

**Traditional Chinese:** 一塵不染

**Register:** Appreciative · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Praise extreme cleanliness or integrity.

Context distinguishes physical and moral senses.

## Understanding the expression

A tiny speck would spoil complete cleanliness, so the phrase emphasizes a surface entirely free of dirt. Modern use commonly praises a room, object, or careful housekeeping. It can also describe a person's honest conduct, extending dust to moral contamination. These senses need context. A spotless room says nothing about its owner's ethics, while praising integrity does not imply that the person or their surroundings must be physically immaculate all the time.

## Examples

厨房收拾得一尘不染。

### Traditional Chinese

廚房收拾得一塵不染。

chú fáng shōu shí dé yī chén bù rǎn 。

The kitchen is spotlessly clean.

她把旧柜子擦得一尘不染。

### Traditional Chinese

她把舊櫃子擦得一塵不染。

tā bǎ jiù guì zi cā dé yī chén bù rǎn 。

She wiped the old cabinet spotless.

他在任时一尘不染，从未受贿。

### Traditional Chinese

他在任時一塵不染，從未受賄。

tā zài rèn shí yī chén bù rǎn ， cóng wèi shòu huì 。

He remained uncorrupted in office and never took bribes.

展厅的玻璃一尘不染。

### Traditional Chinese

展廳的玻璃一塵不染。

zhǎn tīng de bō lí yī chén bù rǎn 。

The exhibition hall's glass is perfectly clean.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E5%A1%B5%E4%B8%8D%E6%9F%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=265&webMd=1&la=0)

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