Japanese word

清濁

Pronunciation

Romajiseidaku

Meaning

  • noungood and evil

Example

世の中の清濁を見極めることが大切です。yo no naka no sei daku o mi kiwa me ru ko to ga tai setsu de su

It is important to distinguish good from evil in the world.

Illustration for 清濁 (good and evil)

More examples

作家は人間社会の清濁を作品に描きました。sak ka wa nin gen sha kai no sei daku o saku hin ni ega ki ma shi ta

The writer portrayed the good and evil of human society in the work.

Core concept

Describes the contrast between what is morally good and what is morally bad, while also extending to the contrast between purity and impurity.

Common phrases

  • 清濁を併せ呑むsei daku o awa se no mu

    accept both good and evil

Similar words

善悪zenaku: A general term for what is morally good and what is morally bad.
正邪seija: The distinction between what is morally right and what is morally wrong.
是非zehi: The rightness or wrongness of an action, choice, or matter.

Definition in Japanese

世の中にある善と悪、清らかなものと濁ったもの。yo no naka ni a ru zen to waru kiyo ra ka na mo no to nigo tta mo no

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 清濁 (seidaku) joins 清 (sei, "pure") and 濁 (daku, "turbid") to express opposing clear and impure conditions, including good and evil.

Usage tips

  • In essays and commentary, 清濁 (seidaku) often sets two sides of society against each other, so the word sounds more formal than everyday terms for good and bad.

Other meanings

  • purity and impuritynoun

Word lists with this word