Translation guide
The English verb 'purify' covers a range of actions from physical cleaning to spiritual cleansing. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is being purified and the method. This guide organizes the most common and useful expressions for an English-speaking learner.
To make something physically clean or pure by removing contaminants, often using a process or device.
The most general and common verb for purifying water, air, soil, etc. It implies removing impurities or pollutants. Often used in technical or environmental contexts.
この装置は水を浄化します。
This device purifies water.
An air purifier purifies the air in a room.
Often used for ritual or spiritual purification, but can also mean to cleanse physically, especially in a more traditional or poetic sense. Less common for modern technical purification.
彼は滝で身を清めた。
He purified himself under the waterfall.
Specifically means to filter, often used for water or liquids. It implies passing through a filter to remove solids.
水をろ過して飲む。
Filter and drink the water.
To remove spiritual impurity or negative energy, often in religious or traditional contexts.
The standard verb for ritual purification in Shinto or Buddhist contexts. It can be used for purifying a person, place, or object.
神社に入る前に手を清めてください。
Please purify your hands before entering the shrine.
お祓いをして家を清める。
Purify the house with an exorcism.
Refers specifically to an exorcism or purification ritual performed by a priest. It is a noun phrase often used with する.
神主さんにお祓いをしてもらった。
I had a Shinto priest perform a purification ritual.
An archaic or literary term for ritual purification by water, such as standing under a waterfall or bathing in a river. Rarely used in modern conversation.
彼は川で禊いだ。
He purified himself in the river.
To make someone or something free from moral impurity, sin, or negative feelings.
Can be used metaphorically for cleansing the heart, mind, or soul. Often appears in literary or religious contexts.
心を清めるために祈る。
Pray to purify the heart.
A set phrase meaning to cleanse or wash away sins. Often used in Christian contexts.
イエスの血が罪を清める。
The blood of Jesus purifies sins.
Can be used metaphorically for emotional or psychological purification, but less common than 清める in spiritual contexts.
瞑想で心を浄化する。
Purify the mind through meditation.
清める (kiyomeru) is preferred for spiritual, ritual, or metaphorical purification. 浄化する (jōka suru) is the default for physical/technical purification (water, air, etc.). Using 浄化する for spiritual contexts can sound overly technical or unnatural.
手を清める (ritual)
purify hands (ritual)
水を浄化する (physical)
purify water (physical)
清潔にする (seiketsu ni suru) means 'to clean' or 'to make hygienic', not 'to purify'. It lacks the nuance of removing impurities or spiritual cleansing.