Translation guide
The act of cleaning something with water or other liquid, typically using soap or detergent. This guide covers how to express washing of various objects, body parts, and abstract concepts in Japanese.
To clean inanimate objects using water and often soap or detergent.
The most common verb for washing objects. Transitive verb, takes the object being washed with を.
Specifically for washing laundry (clothes, linens). Often used as a noun 洗濯.
Washing with water only, without soap. Often used for delicate items or food.
このセーターは水洗いできますか？
Can this sweater be washed with water?
To clean parts of the body with water and often soap.
General verb for washing body parts. Use with the body part as object.
手を洗ってください。
Please wash your hands.
顔を洗う。
I wash my face.
To take a shower, implying washing the whole body. Literally 'to bathe in a shower'.
朝シャワーを浴びた。
I took a shower in the morning.
Formal/technical term for washing hair. Often used in salons or product instructions.
洗髪後はよくすすいでください。
Please rinse well after washing your hair.
To remove something undesirable by washing, or metaphorically to cleanse.
To wash away, rinse off. Transitive, often used for dirt, soap, or abstract things like fatigue.
To remove (stains, dirt) by washing. Often used with 洗剤で (with detergent).
Metaphorical: to wash away one's sins. Literary/religious.
彼は罪を洗い清めようと祈った。
He prayed to wash away his sins.
To clean oneself, often quickly or as a routine.
To wash one's face. Very common morning/evening routine.
起きたらまず顔を洗う。
When I wake up, first I wash my face.
Hand washing (noun). Often used in signs or instructions.
手洗いを忘れずに。
Don't forget to wash your hands.
To get ready (including washing up, changing clothes, etc.). Not exclusively washing, but includes it.
急いで身支度をした。
I quickly got ready (washed up and dressed).
Referring to the appliance or the process of machine washing.
Washing machine. The standard term.
新しい洗濯機を買った。
I bought a new washing machine.
To wash in the washing machine.
このシャツは洗濯機で洗えますか？
Can this shirt be washed in the washing machine?
Using 'washing' as a noun in English, e.g., 'the washing' or 'do the washing'.
洗う is the general verb for washing objects or body parts. 洗濯する is specifically for washing laundry. You cannot use 洗濯する for washing dishes or your face.
服を洗う (OK) / 服を洗濯する (more natural)
wash clothes
皿を洗濯する (incorrect)
wash dishes (incorrect usage)
The English phrasal verb 'wash up' can mean washing dishes (UK) or washing oneself (US). In Japanese, specify the object: 皿を洗う for dishes, 顔を洗う for face. There is no single verb that covers both.
洗濯をしなければならない。
I need to do the washing.
彼女は髪を洗っている。
She is washing her hair.
車を洗わないといけない。
The car needs a wash.
This detergent removes dirt.
洗い物がたまっている。
The washing-up has piled up.