'擦玻璃' literally means 'to wipe glass' and functions as a verb meaning 'to clean glass windows'—typically referring to the common household chore of removing dust, fingerprints, or streaks from windowpanes, mirrors, or glass doors. The character 擦 (cā) means 'to wipe or rub', while 玻璃 (bōli) is the noun 'glass'. Together, they form a verb-object compound where the action (擦) directly targets the object (玻璃). This phrase is used almost exclusively for transparent flat glass surfaces—not for cleaning other materials like plastic or metal.

The expression is neutral in register and widely used in spoken and written Mandarin, especially in contexts involving housework, maintenance, or professional cleaning services. It's often found in instructions ('请擦玻璃'), schedules ('今天要擦玻璃'), or casual conversation about chores. Unlike general terms like 打扫 (dǎsǎo, 'to clean'), 擦玻璃 specifies both the method (wiping) and the surface (glass), making it precise and contextually grounded in daily life.