Translation guide
The concept of purity in Japanese is expressed through different words depending on whether you mean physical cleanliness, moral innocence, cultural or spiritual purification, or the concentration of a substance. The most common and versatile word is 純粋, which covers both literal and figurative purity.
Describing a person, heart, love, or motive that is pure, innocent, or untainted.
The most common word for purity in a figurative sense. It can describe a person's character, intentions, love, or something unadulterated. Often used positively.
彼は純粋な心を持っている。
He has a pure heart.
純粋な愛を信じている。
I believe in pure love.
Emphasizes cleanliness and beauty, often used for water, sounds, or a person's pure and graceful character. More poetic than 純粋.
清らかな心の持ち主だ。
She is a person of pure heart.
Means innocent, naive, or unspoiled. Often used for children or someone without worldly experience. Can also mean 'solid' (as in pure gold).
子供の無垢な笑顔に癒された。
I was healed by the child's innocent smile.
Describing water, air, or objects that are clean and pure.
The standard word for cleanliness and hygiene. Used for rooms, clothes, bodies, etc. Not typically used for moral purity.
この水は清潔で飲める。
This water is clean and drinkable.
清潔な環境を保つ。
Maintain a clean environment.
Often used for air or water that is pure and free from pollution. More formal and technical than 清潔.
Loanword from English, used in product names or to describe a pure, natural image. Not used for hygiene.
ピュアな水
pure water (as a product name)
Referring to the Shinto or Buddhist concept of purification from defilement.
The act of purification, often in a religious or spiritual context. Related to the verb 清める (to purify).
神社でお清めを受ける。
Receive purification at a shrine.
Purification in a broader sense, including spiritual cleansing, but also used for environmental purification (e.g., water purification).
A specific Shinto ritual of purification by washing in water. Often used metaphorically for cleansing oneself of guilt.
Describing the purity of gold, chemicals, or other materials.
The degree of purity, often expressed as a percentage or karat. Used in technical and commercial contexts.
この金の純度は99.9%です。
The purity of this gold is 99.9%.
Can also mean 'pure' in the sense of unadulterated, but 純度 is more precise for measurable purity.
純粋 is for abstract purity (heart, love, motive). 清潔 is for physical cleanliness (room, hands). 清らか is for a beautiful, pure quality often with a poetic nuance (water, voice, heart).
清潔 means hygienic, not morally pure. Saying 彼は清潔だ means 'He is clean/hygienic,' not 'He is pure-hearted.' Use 純粋 or 清らか for moral purity.
清浄な空気を吸う。
Breathe pure air.
I visited a temple seeking spiritual purification.
Waterfall training is a form of misogi purification.
純粋なアルコール
pure alcohol