'搞清楚' is a common colloquial verb phrase meaning 'to figure out,' 'to clarify,' or 'to get to the bottom of something.' Literally, 搞 (gǎo) means 'to do' or 'to handle'; 清 (qīng) means 'clear' or 'pure'; and 楚 (chǔ) means 'distinct' or 'well-defined.' Together, they emphasize the process of making something previously unclear or confusing become fully understood — not just knowing, but actively resolving ambiguity. It often implies effort, investigation, or discussion.

This phrase is widely used in everyday spoken and informal written Chinese — in conversations about problems, instructions, misunderstandings, or plans. It’s neutral in register but slightly more assertive or urgent than synonyms like '明白' (míngbai), suggesting that clarity hasn’t yet been achieved and needs active pursuit. It commonly follows subjects like 'we,' 'you,' or 'I,' and often appears with complements (e.g., 搞清楚原因, 'figure out the reason') or objects indicating what needs clarification.