Translation guide
How to express 'wash away' in Japanese, covering physical removal by water, emotional cleansing, and figurative erasure.
To remove dirt, stains, or objects by washing with water.
The most direct and common way to say 'wash away' for physical dirt or substances. Used for washing off mud, soap, etc.
泥を洗い流した。
I washed away the mud.
シャワーで汗を洗い流す。
I wash away sweat in the shower.
To flush or rinse away, often with water. Used for lighter washing or when the focus is on the flowing action.
水で口の中を流す。
Rinse your mouth with water.
To wash off, emphasizing removal of something stuck on. Similar to 洗い流す but slightly more forceful.
ペンキを洗い落とす。
Wash off the paint.
Literally 'flush with water'. Used for washing away debris or light dirt, often in cleaning contexts.
ホースで泥を水で流した。
I hosed the mud away.
When water or waves gradually remove land, structures, or objects.
To sweep away, often by a strong current or flood. Used for bridges, cars, people being carried away by water.
洪水が家を押し流した。
The flood washed away the house.
To erode, often by water or wind. More technical, used for coastlines or soil.
波が海岸を浸食している。
The waves are washing away the coastline.
Literary or poetic expression for washing away completely, often used figuratively or in written language.
To remove guilt, bad feelings, or memories, often metaphorically.
Also used metaphorically for washing away emotions, sins, or bad memories. Very common.
罪悪感を洗い流したい。
I want to wash away my guilt.
涙が悲しみを洗い流してくれた。
Tears washed away my sadness.
To purify or cleanse spiritually. Often used in religious or ritual contexts.
To forget completely, to leave behind. Implies washing away from memory.
To eliminate evidence, doubts, or problems as if by washing.
To cancel out, wipe the slate clean. Often used for debts, mistakes, or negative records.
借金を帳消しにした。
The debt was washed away.
To sweep away, eliminate completely. Used for doubts, corruption, or problems.
疑いを一掃する。
Wash away doubts.
To erase completely, wipe out. Stronger than 消す.
洗い流す is for intentional washing away of dirt or emotions. 押し流す is for being swept away by an external force like a flood. Do not use 押し流す for washing your hands.
Do not use 洗う (arau) alone for 'wash away'. 洗う means 'to wash' but does not include the 'away' nuance. Use compound verbs like 洗い流す or 洗い落とす.
泥を洗った。
I washed the mud. (unnatural for 'washed away')
雨がチョークの絵を洗い流した。
The rain washed away the chalk drawings.
彼は罪を洗い流そうとした。
He tried to wash away his sins.
時の流れがすべてを洗い去る。
The flow of time washes everything away.
心を清める。
Purify one's heart.
過去を忘れ去りたい。
I want to wash away the past.
Wash away the evidence.