Japanese word

洗う

Pronunciation

Romajiarau

Meaning

  • verbwash

Example

食事の前に、手を洗います。shoku ji no mae ni te o ara i ma su

I wash my hands before meals.

Illustration for 洗う (wash)

More examples

毎日手を洗います。mai nichi te o ara i ma su

I wash my hands every day.

このシャツは水で洗います。ko no sha tsu wa mizu de ara i ma su

I wash this shirt with water.

Core concept

It describes removing dirt or unwanted material from something by using water or another cleaning process.

Common phrases

  • 手を洗うte o ara u

    wash one's hands

  • 髪を洗うkami o ara u

    wash one's hair

  • 食器を洗うshok ki o ara u

    wash dishes

  • 顔を洗うkao o ara u

    wash one's face

Similar words

すすぐsusugu: To remove soap or loose dirt from something with clean water.
洗濯するsentakusuru: To wash clothes, usually with water and detergent.

Definition in Japanese

水や洗剤などを使って、付着した汚れを落とす。mizu ya sen zai na do o tsuka tte fu chaku shi ta yogo re o o to su

Word origin

洗う (arau) is a native Japanese verb rather than a Sino-Japanese or borrowed word, with the basic sense of removing dirt from something.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 洗う (arau) applies to hands, dishes, clothes, and the body, so its range is broader than the hand-washing example alone.

Other meanings

  • rinseverb

Related words

  • 洗い方araikataway of washingnoun
  • 洗い物araimonodishes to washnoun

Word lists with this word