Translation guide
The concept of defilement in Japanese is often expressed through words related to impurity, pollution, or spiritual/moral corruption. The most common terms are 汚れ (yogore) for physical dirtiness and 穢れ (kegare) for spiritual or ritual impurity. The choice depends on whether the context is physical, moral, or religious.
Expressing that something is physically dirty, stained, or soiled.
General term for dirt, stain, or soiling. Used for physical uncleanliness.
シャツに汚れがついている。
There's a stain on the shirt.
この汚れはなかなか落ちない。
This dirt won't come off easily.
Pollution or contamination, often used for environmental or large-scale soiling.
大気汚染が深刻な問題だ。
Air pollution is a serious problem.
Referring to a state of being ritually unclean or spiritually impure, often in Shinto or Buddhist contexts.
Spiritual impurity or defilement, a key concept in Shinto. It can be cleansed through purification rituals.
神社で穢れを祓う。
Purify defilement at a shrine.
死は穢れと見なされることがある。
Death is sometimes considered a defilement.
Impurity, uncleanliness, often used in religious or moral contexts. Can also refer to something filthy.
Describing the act of corrupting something pure or the state of being morally defiled.
To dirty, stain, or defile. Used both physically and metaphorically for sullying reputation, honor, etc.
彼は名声を汚した。
He defiled his reputation.
その行為は彼の手を汚した。
That act defiled his hands.
Blasphemy or profanation; defilement of something sacred.
Corruption, depravity, or degradation. Often used for moral decline.
Specifically referring to the act of violating or profaning something holy.
汚れ (yogore) is for physical dirt or stains, while 穢れ (kegare) is for spiritual or ritual impurity. Using 穢れ for a coffee stain would be unnatural.
The English word 'defilement' covers many nuances. Directly translating it as 汚染 or 不浄 without context can sound odd. Choose the word based on whether the defilement is physical, moral, or spiritual.
Cleanse impurity.
神への冒涜だ。
It's a defilement of God.
His defiled lifestyle.
You must not defile a sacred place.