What is the Kanji for "Wash"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Wash", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Wash" is "洗".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Ara".

Its onyomi reading is "Sen".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "氵" means "Water" . And The kanji "先" means "Before" and "Previous" and can be read as "Saki" and "Sen".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "洗" mean in japanese?

"洗" means "Wash".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

お手洗い: "Restroom". The Japanese noun 'お手洗い (おてあらい)' refers to a restroom, toilet, or washroom. It is a polite and formal way to refer to a bathroom facility. This word is commonly used in public settings like restaurants, hotels, or stores to ask for directions to the restroom. For example: Where is the restroom? - (お手洗いはどこですか). The restroom is down the hall - (お手洗いは廊下の奥にあります).

洗面所: "Bathroom" or "Washroom". The Japanese word '洗面所 (せんめんじょ)' refers to a bathroom or washroom. It is a room or area designated for personal cleaning and hygiene, typically containing a sink, mirror, and other sanitary facilities. This word is commonly used to describe the room in a house or building where one can wash their face, brush their teeth, or perform other grooming activities. For example: I need to go to the washroom - (洗面所に行く必要がある). Let's meet in the bathroom - (洗面所で会いましょう).

洗う: "Wash". The Japanese verb '洗う (あらう)' means 'to wash'. This verb is used to describe the action of cleaning something by submerging it in water or another liquid. It can be used for washing clothes, dishes, one's body, and various other objects. For example: I will wash my car - (私は車を洗うつもりです). She washes her hair every day - (彼女は毎日髪を洗います).

洗濯機: "Washing machine". The Japanese noun '洗濯機 (せんたくき)' means 'washing machine'. This refers to an electric or mechanical device used for cleaning clothes, linens, and other fabrics. Washing machines are an essential household appliance in modern life. For example: I need to do laundry, so I will use the washing machine - (洗濯物を洗うので、洗濯機を使います). The washing machine is in the laundry room - (洗濯機は洗濯室にあります).

洗濯: "Washing". The verbal noun '洗濯 (せんたく)' means 'washing'. It refers to the act of cleaning or laundering clothes, linens, or other items using water, detergent, and sometimes a washing machine. For example: I need to do the washing - (洗濯をしなければなりません). She is doing the washing - (彼女は洗濯をしています).

水洗: "Flushing" or "Washing". The Japanese verbal noun '水洗 (すいせん)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'flushing', referring to the action of flushing or rinsing something with water. This is commonly used in the context of flushing a toilet. The second meaning is 'washing', referring to the action of washing or cleaning something with water. This can be used in the context of washing dishes, clothes, or other items. Example sentences: I flushed the toilet - (トイレを水洗した). Washing the car - (車を水洗する).

洗い物: "Dishes". The Japanese noun '洗い物 (あらいもの)' refers to the dishes or tableware that need to be washed. It is used to describe the collection of items that require cleaning after a meal or cooking session. For example: I need to do the dishes - (洗い物をしなければいけない). She is washing the dishes - (彼女は洗い物をしている).

洗面: "Washstand". The Japanese noun '洗面 (せんめん)' refers to a washstand, sink or wash basin. It is often found in bathrooms and is used for washing one's face and hands. For example: I washed my face at the washstand - (私は洗面台で顔を洗いました). The washstand in the bathroom is very clean - (浴室の洗面台はとてもきれいです).

手洗い: "Handwash". The noun '手洗い (てあらい)' refers to the act of manually washing one's hands, typically with soap and water. It is an important hygiene practice, especially in medical and food preparation settings. For example: I will do a handwash before eating - (食事の前に手洗いをしましょう). The handwash facility is located in the restroom - (手洗い場は洗面所にあります).

洗面器: "Washbasin". The Japanese noun '洗面器 (せんめんき)' refers to a washbasin or a bowl used for washing one's face or hands. It is a common household item found in bathrooms and kitchens. For example: I washed my face in the washbasin - (洗面器で顔を洗った).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "せ" is read as "se". The hiragana "ん" is read as "n". The hiragana "あ" is read as "a". And The hiragana "ら" is read as "ra".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.