清潔
清潔 30秒了解
- Seiketsu means 'clean' or 'hygienic' and is a na-adjective used for physical and moral purity.
- It is different from 'kirei' because it focuses specifically on sanitation and the absence of germs.
- The concept of 'seiketsu-kan' (looking clean) is vital for social and professional success in Japan.
- Grammatically, use 'seiketsu-na' before nouns and 'seiketsu-ni' before verbs like 'keep' or 'make'.
The Japanese word 清潔 (せいけつ - seiketsu) is a powerful and multifaceted term that translates most directly to 'clean' or 'hygienic' in English. However, its resonance in Japanese culture goes far beyond the mere absence of dirt. It represents a state of being that is physically sanitary, mentally pure, and socially acceptable. In a country where removing shoes before entering a home is standard and public health is a national priority, seiketsu is a fundamental pillar of daily life. It is categorized as a na-adjective (adjectival noun), meaning it requires the particle 'na' when modifying a noun directly, such as in 清潔なタオル (seiketsu-na taoru - a clean towel).
- Physical Cleanliness
- This is the primary usage. It refers to things that have been washed, sterilized, or are naturally free of contaminants. It is the word used in hospitals for sterile environments and in restaurants for food safety standards. Unlike 'kirei', which can mean 'pretty', seiketsu focuses on the scientific or hygienic aspect of being clean.
この病院は非常に清潔に保たれています。
(Kono byōin wa hijō ni seiketsu ni tamotarete imasu.)
This hospital is kept extremely clean/hygienic.
- Social Impression (Seiketsu-kan)
- Perhaps the most culturally specific use is in the term 清潔感 (seiketsu-kan), which refers to 'a sense of cleanliness' or 'looking clean'. In Japanese society, especially in dating and job hunting, having seiketsu-kan is often cited as the most important physical trait. It doesn't just mean you showered; it means your clothes are ironed, your hair is neat, and you project an aura of tidiness.
Historically, the concept of seiketsu is tied to Shinto beliefs regarding 'kegare' (impurity or defilement). Ritual purification (harae) is a core aspect of Japanese spirituality, which evolved into the modern obsession with hygiene. You will see this word on labels for antibacterial products, in school slogans promoting health, and in political discourse regarding the 'cleanliness' of a candidate's record. It is a word that bridges the gap between the laboratory and the living room.
料理をする前は、手を清潔にしてください。
(Ryōri o suru mae wa, te o seiketsu ni shite kudasai.)
Before cooking, please make sure your hands are clean/hygienic.
- Moral and Abstract Purity
- In more advanced contexts, seiketsu refers to integrity. A 'clean' politician (seiketsu-na seijika) is one who is not involved in bribery or scandals. It implies a lack of 'dirt' in one's character or actions. This metaphorical use reinforces the idea that cleanliness is not just skin deep; it is a reflection of one's internal state and ethical standing.
彼は清潔な政治を求めている。
(Kare wa seiketsu-na seiji o motomete iru.)
He is seeking clean (uncorrupt) politics.
To summarize, seiketsu is the standard of cleanliness required for health, professional respect, and moral integrity. It is an objective measure of purity that forms the backbone of Japanese social etiquette and public safety. Whether you are talking about a fresh bedsheet, a surgeon's hands, or a person's reputation, seiketsu is the word that denotes a state of being untainted and properly maintained.
Using 清潔 (seiketsu) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a na-adjective. This means that unlike 'i-adjectives' (like oishii or takai), it behaves more like a noun in many structures. To describe a noun directly, you must add 〜な. To describe an action or state of being, you use 〜に or 〜だ/です. Let's explore the various ways to integrate this word into your Japanese.
- Modifying Nouns (Adjectival Use)
- When you want to say 'a clean [something]', use the pattern: [清洁] + な + [Noun]. This is common when talking about physical objects like clothes, towels, or environments like rooms and kitchens.
いつも清潔な服を着るようにしましょう。
(Itsumo seiketsu-na fuku o kiru yō ni shimashō.)
Let's try to always wear clean clothes.
- Describing a State (Predicate Use)
- To say '[Something] is clean', use the pattern: [Noun] + は + [清潔] + です/だ. This is the simplest way to state the condition of an object or place.
このキッチンはとても清潔です。
(Kono kitchin wa totemo seiketsu desu.)
This kitchen is very clean/hygienic.
- Adverbial Use (Keeping/Making things clean)
- When you want to describe the manner in which something is kept or done, use 清潔に. This usually pairs with verbs like tamotsu (to maintain), suru (to make/do), or pau (to keep).
部屋を清潔に保つことは大切です。
(Heya o seiketsu ni tamotsu koto wa taisetsu desu.)
Keeping your room clean is important.
In professional environments, seiketsu often appears in compound words. For example, 清潔感 (seiketsu-kan) is used as a noun to describe the overall 'vibe' of cleanliness a person has. In a job interview, an interviewer might note that a candidate has seiketsu-kan ga aru (projects a clean image). This doesn't just mean they washed their face; it encompasses their grooming, clothing, and posture. It is a holistic evaluation of their presentation.
接客業では、清潔感が欠かせません。
(Sekkyakugyō dewa, seiketsu-kan ga kakasemasen.)
In the service industry, a sense of cleanliness is indispensable.
Finally, consider the contrast with 不潔 (fuketsu), which is the direct antonym meaning 'filthy' or 'unhygienic'. While seiketsu is the goal, fuketsu is the state to be avoided at all costs in Japanese society. Using these two words correctly allows you to navigate everything from basic housework to complex social expectations regarding hygiene and respect for shared spaces.
You will encounter 清潔 (seiketsu) in a variety of real-world settings in Japan, ranging from the mundane to the highly professional. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the cultural weight the word carries. It is not just a vocabulary word; it is a social standard that people are reminded of daily through media, signage, and education.
- 1. Healthcare and Medical Settings
- In hospitals and clinics, seiketsu is the operative word for 'sterile' or 'sanitary'. You will see signs for shushi seiketsu (hand sanitization) and instructions for medical staff to maintain a seiketsu-iki (clean zone) versus a fuketsu-iki (contaminated zone). If a doctor tells you to keep a wound seiketsu, they mean you must ensure it doesn't get infected.
手術室は常に清潔な状態に保たれています。
(Shujutsushitsu wa tsune ni seiketsu-na jōtai ni tamotarete imasu.)
Operating rooms are always kept in a sterile/clean state.
- 2. Commercials and Product Marketing
- Detergent, soap, and air freshener commercials in Japan are obsessed with seiketsu. They often use the phrase seiketsu-zuki (clean-freak or someone who loves cleanliness) to target consumers. Marketing campaigns emphasize that their products don't just 'clean' but provide a deep, scientific seiketsu that protects the family from germs.
- 3. School and Workplace Education
- Japanese children are taught seiketsu from a young age through 'souji' (cleaning time) and health classes. You will hear teachers say, 'Keep your desks seiketsu!' In the workplace, especially in manufacturing (the 5S methodology), seiketsu is the fourth S, referring to 'standardizing' the cleaning process to maintain a safe and productive environment.
学校のトイレを清潔に使いましょう。
(Gakkō no toire o seiketsu ni tsukaimashō.)
Let's use the school toilets in a clean/hygienic manner.
- 4. Dating and Social Media
- If you browse Japanese dating apps or watch variety shows, you'll hear seiketsu-kan constantly. It is the number one requirement for men in surveys asking what women look for in a partner. It doesn't mean being handsome; it means having trimmed nails, no wrinkles in the shirt, and a fresh scent. It's a social signal of self-discipline and respect for others.
Lastly, in the news, seiketsu is used to describe the 'transparency' or 'cleanliness' of public figures. If a politician's finances are seiketsu, it means they are above board. Thus, from the bathroom to the parliament, seiketsu is a word that sets the bar for what is acceptable in Japanese life.
While 清潔 (seiketsu) is a common word, English speakers often misapply it due to the broad range of the English word 'clean'. In English, 'clean' can describe a room, a beautiful view, a clear sky, or a simple design. In Japanese, these nuances are split among different words. Using seiketsu in the wrong context can sound clinical, strange, or even confusing to a native speaker.
- Mistake 1: Using it for Aesthetic Beauty
- If you see a beautiful, tidy room and say 'Seiketsu na heya desu ne!', you are commenting on its hygiene and lack of germs. While not 'wrong', it's much more natural to say 綺麗 (kirei). Kirei covers both 'clean' and 'beautiful'. Save seiketsu for when you want to emphasize that the room is sanitary or well-maintained from a health perspective.
❌ この景色は清潔ですね。
✅ この景色は綺麗ですね。
You cannot use 'seiketsu' for scenery. It sounds like you are saying the mountain has no bacteria.
- Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Clear' (Transparency)
- English speakers often use 'clean' to mean 'clear water' or 'a clean glass'. In Japanese, for transparent objects or clear water, use 透明 (tōmei) or 澄んだ (sunda). Using seiketsu for water implies the water is safe to drink (potable/sanitary), but it doesn't describe its visual clarity.
- Mistake 3: Overlooking the 'Na' in Na-Adjectives
- Beginners often forget to use na when modifying a noun. Saying 'seiketsu fuku' is grammatically incorrect. It must be seiketsu-na fuku. Conversely, when it's at the end of a sentence, don't use na. 'Kono fuku wa seiketsu na desu' is incorrect; it should be 'seiketsu desu'.
❌ 清潔タオルを使って。
✅ 清潔なタオルを使って。
Always remember the 'na' connector for nouns.
- Mistake 4: Using it for 'Finished' or 'Empty'
- In English, we say 'a clean break' or 'I cleaned my plate'. Seiketsu cannot be used for these idiomatic expressions. For finishing food, use kanryō or tabekiru. For a 'clean break' in a relationship, use kippari or sappari. Seiketsu is strictly about the physical or moral state of being untainted.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will sound much more natural and precise. Remember: seiketsu is about hygiene, health, and integrity. For everything else that is just 'nice and clean', kirei is your best friend.
Japanese has many words that overlap with the English concept of 'clean'. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about aesthetics, hygiene, organization, or purity. Here is a breakdown of how 清潔 (seiketsu) compares to its closest neighbors.
- 清潔 (Seiketsu) vs. 綺麗 (Kirei)
- Seiketsu: Objective, hygienic, sterile. Focuses on the absence of germs and dirt. (e.g., a clean bandage).
Kirei: Subjective, beautiful, tidy. Focuses on appearance. (e.g., a beautiful flower, a tidy room). If you clean your room to make it look nice, it's kirei. If you disinfect it, it's seiketsu.
- 清潔 (Seiketsu) vs. 衛生的 (Eiseiteki)
- Eiseiteki: This is the more technical term for 'hygienic' or 'sanitary'. While seiketsu can be used in daily life, eiseiteki is often used in official regulations, science, and public health documents. You would say a kitchen is seiketsu, but a waste disposal method is eiseiteki.
このレストランは清潔で、とても衛生的な設備が整っています。
(Kono resutoran wa seiketsu de, totemo eiseiteki-na setsubi ga totonotte imasu.)
This restaurant is clean and equipped with very hygienic facilities.
- 清潔 (Seiketsu) vs. 純粋 (Junsuī)
- Junsuī: Means 'pure' in the sense of being 100% of something (pure gold) or having an innocent heart. While seiketsu can mean 'morally clean', junsuī is much more common for describing someone's innocent personality or the purity of a substance.
- 清潔 (Seiketsu) vs. 清らか (Kiyoraka)
- Kiyoraka: A more poetic, literary word for 'pure' or 'clean'. It is often used for clear streams, noble hearts, or spiritual purity. You will hear this in songs or read it in novels, whereas seiketsu is the practical word for daily life.
Understanding these distinctions allows you to move from 'survival Japanese' to 'expressive Japanese'. Use seiketsu when you care about germs and standards, kirei when you care about looks, and eiseiteki when you're being professional. This precision is a hallmark of an advanced learner.
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The kanji 潔 (Ketsu) is also used in the word 'Isagiyoi', which describes a samurai's willingness to accept defeat or death gracefully—showing that 'cleanliness' in Japanese is historically linked to honor.
发音指南
难度评级
The kanji are N3 level, but the word is taught early due to its frequency.
The kanji 潔 is complex with many strokes.
Pronunciation is straightforward.
Commonly heard in daily life and commercials.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
Na-Adjective + Noun
清潔な部屋 (Seiketsu-na heya)
Na-Adjective + ni + Verb
清潔に保つ (Seiketsu ni tamotsu)
Na-Adjective + de (Te-form)
清潔で、明るい部屋 (A clean and bright room)
Noun-forming suffix ~sa
清潔さ (Cleanliness/degree of clean)
Suffix ~kan (feeling/sense)
清潔感 (Sense of cleanliness)
按水平分级的例句
清潔なタオルがありますか。
Do you have a clean towel?
Seiketsu-na (na-adjective) + Taoru (noun).
手を清潔にしましょう。
Let's make/keep our hands clean.
Seiketsu ni (adverbial) + shimashō (let's do).
この部屋は清潔です。
This room is clean.
Subject + wa + Seiketsu + desu.
清潔な服を着ます。
I wear clean clothes.
Seiketsu-na (na-adjective) + Fuku (noun).
ここはとても清潔ですね。
It's very clean here, isn't it?
Adverb 'totemo' + Seiketsu.
不潔な手で食べないでください。
Please don't eat with dirty hands.
Fuketsu (antonym) + na + te (hand).
清潔な水が必要です。
Clean (sanitary) water is necessary.
Seiketsu-na + mizu.
毎日、清潔にします。
I clean (make it clean) every day.
Mainichi + seiketsu ni shimasu.
料理をする時は、キッチンを清潔に保ってください。
When cooking, please keep the kitchen clean.
Seiketsu ni + tamotsu (to maintain/keep).
彼は清潔感がある人です。
He is a person who has a sense of cleanliness.
Seiketsu-kan (noun) + ga aru.
清潔なスプーンをもう一本ください。
Please give me one more clean spoon.
Seiketsu-na + spoon.
このホテルは清潔で気持ちがいいです。
This hotel is clean and feels good.
Seiketsu de (te-form of na-adjective) + kimochi ga ii.
靴を脱いで、家の中を清潔にしましょう。
Let's take off our shoes and keep the inside of the house clean.
Heya no naka o + seiketsu ni shimashō.
赤ちゃんの服はいつも清潔であるべきだ。
Baby clothes should always be clean.
Seiketsu de aru beki (should be).
清潔な環境で勉強したいです。
I want to study in a clean environment.
Seiketsu-na + kankyō (environment).
公園のトイレが清潔だと嬉しいです。
I'm happy when park toilets are clean.
Condition 'to' + ureshii.
飲食店にとって、清潔さは最も重要な要素の一つです。
For restaurants, cleanliness is one of the most important factors.
Seiketsu-sa (noun form) + wa + yōso (factor).
接客業では、第一印象としての清潔感が重視されます。
In the service industry, a sense of cleanliness as a first impression is emphasized.
Passive voice 'jūshi saremasu' (is emphasized).
傷口を清潔な布で押さえてください。
Please press the wound with a clean cloth.
Kizuguchi (wound) + seiketsu-na nuno (cloth).
公衆衛生を保つためには、街を清潔にする必要があります。
In order to maintain public health, it is necessary to keep the city clean.
Kōshū-eisei (public health) + tamotsu tame ni.
彼はとても清潔好きで、毎日掃除を欠かしません。
He loves cleanliness so much that he never skips cleaning every day.
Seiketsu-zuki (someone who likes cleanliness).
この洗剤は、衣類を清潔に洗い上げます。
This detergent washes clothes to a hygienic finish.
Arai-agemasu (washes up/finishes).
プールの水は清潔に管理されています。
The pool water is managed to be clean/hygienic.
Seiketsu ni + kanri sarete iru (is managed).
清潔なシーツに取り替えてもらえますか。
Could you change the sheets to clean ones?
Seiketsu-na sheets + torikaeru.
この政治家は、清潔なイメージを売りにして当選した。
This politician was elected by selling a 'clean' image.
Metaphorical use of 'seiketsu' (integrity).
工場のクリーンルームでは、高度な清潔状態が求められる。
In factory cleanrooms, a high level of cleanliness is required.
Kōdo-na (high-level) + seiketsu jōtai.
彼は金銭面において非常に清潔な人物だ。
He is a very clean (honest) person regarding money matters.
Kinsen-men (monetary aspect).
災害時には、清潔な飲料水の確保が最優先事項となる。
In times of disaster, securing clean drinking water becomes the top priority.
Inryōsui (drinking water) + kakuho (securing).
都会の喧騒を離れ、清潔な空気の中でリフレッシュした。
I left the hustle and bustle of the city and refreshed myself in the clean air.
Seiketsu-na kūki (clean/pure air).
この化粧品は、肌を清潔に保つ成分が含まれています。
This cosmetic product contains ingredients that keep the skin hygienic.
Seiketsu ni tamotsu seibun (ingredients).
潔癖症の人は、周囲の不潔さに過剰に反応してしまうことがある。
People with germophobia (keppekishō) sometimes overreact to the dirtiness around them.
Keppekishō (obsession with cleanliness).
清潔な取引を心がけることが、ビジネスの基本だ。
Striving for clean (fair/honest) transactions is the basis of business.
Seiketsu-na torihiki (clean transaction).
日本の清潔文化は、古くからの神道思想に深く根ざしている。
Japan's culture of cleanliness is deeply rooted in ancient Shinto thought.
Seiketsu bunka (cleanliness culture) + nezasu (to be rooted).
その作家の文体は、無駄がなく清潔な印象を与える。
The author's writing style is concise and gives a 'clean' (pure/clear) impression.
Abstract use: Seiketsu-na inshō (clean impression).
汚職を排除し、清潔な政治を実現することが国民の願いだ。
It is the people's wish to eliminate corruption and realize clean politics.
Oshoku (corruption) + haiju (eliminate).
医療現場において、清潔と不潔の区別を厳格に行うことは基本中の基本である。
In medical settings, strictly distinguishing between 'clean' and 'contaminated' is the absolute basic.
Seiketsu to fuketsu no kubetsu (distinction).
彼女の立ち振る舞いには、凛とした清潔感が漂っている。
There is a dignified sense of purity/cleanliness wafting from her behavior.
Rintoshita (dignified) + tadayotte iru (wafting/drifting).
環境保護のためには、河川の清潔を維持することが不可欠だ。
In order to protect the environment, maintaining the cleanliness of rivers is essential.
Kasen (rivers) + iji (maintenance).
自己の良心に照らして、清潔な生き方を貫きたい。
I want to live a clean life in light of my own conscience.
Seiketsu-na ikikata (clean way of life).
その建築物は、直線美を活かした清潔なデザインが特徴だ。
That building is characterized by a clean design that makes use of linear beauty.
Seiketsu-na design (clean design).
社会全体の清潔志向が強まる中で、過度な除菌への懸念も指摘されている。
As society's orientation toward cleanliness strengthens, concerns about excessive sterilization are also being pointed out.
Seiketsu shikō (cleanliness orientation).
三島由紀夫の作品における「清潔」という概念は、しばしば死や美と結びついている。
The concept of 'purity/cleanliness' in Yukio Mishima's works is often linked with death and beauty.
Literary analysis context.
情報の清潔性を担保することが、デジタル時代の報道機関に求められる責務だ。
Ensuring the 'cleanliness' (integrity/accuracy) of information is a responsibility required of news organizations in the digital age.
Seiketsu-sei (cleanliness/integrity property).
都市計画において、視覚的な清潔さと機能的な衛生は表裏一体の関係にある。
In urban planning, visual cleanliness and functional hygiene are two sides of the same coin.
Hyouri-ittai (two sides of the same coin).
彼は、自身の清潔潔白を証明するために、あらゆる証拠を提示した。
In order to prove his own absolute innocence/cleanliness, he presented all kinds of evidence.
Seiketsu-keppaku (idiom: pure and clean).
生命倫理の議論において、遺伝子操作による「清潔な」生命の誕生は倫理的課題を孕んでいる。
In discussions of bioethics, the birth of 'clean' (genetically perfect) life through gene manipulation carries ethical issues.
Metaphorical/Scientific usage.
近代化の過程で、日本人は「清潔」という価値観を国民道徳として内面化していった。
In the process of modernization, Japanese people internalized the value of 'cleanliness' as a national morality.
Naimenka (internalization).
その宗教儀礼は、魂の清潔を取り戻すための象徴的な行為である。
That religious ritual is a symbolic act intended to restore the cleanliness of the soul.
Tamashii no seiketsu (cleanliness of the soul).
常见搭配
常用短语
— Cleanliness first. A common slogan in kitchens and hospitals.
この工場は清潔第一です。
— Lack of a sense of cleanliness. Often used as a criticism.
彼の不評の理由は清潔感の欠如だ。
— Personal hygiene or cleanliness of one's immediate surroundings.
身の回りの清潔に気を配る。
— To make cleanliness one's principle or motto.
和食は清潔を旨としている。
— To lack cleanliness; to be somewhat dirty.
その店は少し清潔を欠いている。
— Ideas or devices to maintain cleanliness.
トイレを清潔に保つ工夫をする。
— A clean/pure life, either physically or ethically.
シンプルで清潔な暮らし。
— To like/prefer cleanliness.
日本人は清潔を好む国民だ。
容易混淆的词
Kirei is for visual beauty/tidiness; Seiketsu is for hygiene.
Tōmei is for visual transparency; Seiketsu is for being germ-free.
Seiri is for organizing/decluttering; Seiketsu is for sanitizing.
习语与表达
— Completely pure and clean; having a clear conscience. Often used for people accused of crimes.
私は清潔潔白です。
Formal— Literally to wash oneself, but also to clear one's name or purify one's soul.
不祥事の後、身を清潔にする努力をした。
Neutral— A metaphor for a refreshing, honest atmosphere being brought into a place.
新しいリーダーによって、組織に清潔な風が吹いた。
Literary— The color white as a symbol of hygiene and purity.
清潔な白のユニフォーム。
Neutral— To keep one's heart/mind pure and free from bad thoughts.
修行によって心を清潔に保つ。
Spiritual— Sometimes used in medical contexts, or metaphorically for noble lineage.
清潔な血液を維持するための食事。
Medical/Metaphorical— Money that was earned honestly (not 'dirty' money).
清潔な金で商売をする。
Financial— A 'clean' vote, usually meaning a vote not bought by bribery.
清潔な一票を投じよう。
Political— A clean relationship, often meaning platonic or free from scandal.
彼らはずっと清潔な関係だ。
Social— A clean job, meaning one that is honest or perhaps physically not messy.
清潔な仕事に就きたい。
Neutral容易混淆
Both can mean 'clean'.
Seiketsu is objective (hygiene), Kirei is subjective (beauty).
清潔な病院 (Hygienic hospital) vs 綺麗な花 (Beautiful flower).
Both contain 'Sei' (pure).
Seijun is specifically for 'innocent' or 'maidenly' purity.
清純な少女 (An innocent girl).
Both contain 'Ketsu' (clean/pure).
Isagiyoi means 'gallant' or 'manly' in accepting fate.
潔く負けを認める (Accept defeat gracefully).
Both relate to cleaning.
Shōdoku is the action of disinfecting; Seiketsu is the state of being clean.
消毒して清潔にする (Disinfect to make it clean).
Both mean hygiene.
Eisei is a noun (Hygiene); Seiketsu is an adjective (Hygienic/Clean).
公衆衛生 (Public health) vs 清潔な手 (Clean hands).
句型
[Place] は 清潔です。
このトイレは清潔です。
[Object] を 清潔に してください。
手を清潔にしてください。
[Person] は 清潔感 があります。
田中さんは清潔感があります。
[Place] を 清潔に 保つ。
キッチンを清潔に保つ。
清潔な [Abstract Noun] を目指す。
清潔な政治を目指す。
[Noun] の 清潔性 を 担保する。
情報の清潔性を担保する。
清潔 という 概念 は [Concept] と 結びついている。
清潔という概念は美と結びついている。
清潔な [Object] を使う。
清潔なタオルを使う。
词族
名词
动词
形容词
相关
如何使用
Very common in daily life, media, and professional settings.
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Using 'seiketsu' for a beautiful sunset.
→
Kirei-na yuuyake.
Seiketsu is for hygiene, not aesthetic beauty.
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Saying 'seiketsu taoru'.
→
Seiketsu-na taoru.
It's a na-adjective; you need 'na' before a noun.
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Using 'seiketsu' for clear glass.
→
Toumei-na garasu.
Seiketsu means germ-free, not transparent.
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Using 'seiketsu' to mean 'I finished my plate'.
→
Kanshoku shimashita.
Seiketsu doesn't mean 'empty' or 'finished'.
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Confusing 'seiketsu' with 'seisou' (cleaning action).
→
Seisou gyousha (Cleaning company).
Seiketsu is the state; seisou is the professional action.
小贴士
Don't forget the 'na'!
Always add 'na' when 'seiketsu' comes before a noun. 'Seiketsu-na taoru' is correct.
Aim for 'Seiketsu-kan'
In Japan, looking 'clean' is more important than being fashionable. Iron your clothes!
Seiketsu vs Kirei
Use 'seiketsu' for the kitchen and 'kirei' for the living room view.
Medical Usage
In a hospital, 'seiketsu' means 'sterile'. Pay close attention to signs.
Learn the Antonym
Learning 'fuketsu' alongside 'seiketsu' helps you remember both faster.
Shinto Roots
Understanding that 'cleanliness' is 'godliness' in Japan explains its importance.
Complimenting Others
Tell someone they have 'seiketsu-kan' to give a high-quality, respectful compliment.
Kanji Practice
Practice the kanji 潔; it has many strokes but is very common in formal Japanese.
TV Adverts
Listen for 'seiketsu' in soap ads to hear the natural pitch accent.
Daily Life
Keep your 'mi-no-mawari' (surroundings) 'seiketsu' to impress your Japanese friends.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'SAY' + 'KETS'. Imagine you 'SAY' (sei) 'KETS' (sounds like 'cats') must stay clean and hygienic. Clean cats!
视觉联想
Imagine a bright white hospital room where everything is so clean it glows. The word 'SEIKETSU' is written in blue on the wall.
Word Web
挑战
Try to find three items in your room that are 'seiketsu' and three that are 'fuketsu'. Label them in your mind.
词源
Composed of two kanji: 清 (Sei) meaning 'clear', 'pure', or 'clean', and 潔 (Ketsu) meaning 'pure', 'clean', or 'righteous'.
原始含义: Originally referred to both the physical state of water being clear and the moral state of a person being beyond reproach.
Sino-Japanese (Kango).文化背景
Calling someone 'fuketsu' (not seiketsu) is a very strong insult in Japan, implying they are socially inferior or lazy.
English speakers use 'clean' for many things. Japanese uses 'seiketsu' primarily for hygiene and 'kirei' for organization/beauty.
在生活中练习
真实语境
Hospital/Clinic
- 清潔な器具 (Clean instruments)
- 手指の清潔 (Hand hygiene)
- 清潔区域 (Clean area)
- 清潔を保つ (Maintain sterility)
Restaurant/Kitchen
- 清潔なエプロン (Clean apron)
- 厨房の清潔 (Kitchen cleanliness)
- 清潔な手元 (Hygienic hands)
- 清潔第一 (Cleanliness first)
Dating/Social
- 清潔感がある (Looks clean/neat)
- 清潔な服装 (Clean clothes)
- 清潔感がない (Looks messy/dirty)
- 清潔感重視 (Emphasizing a clean look)
Home/Cleaning
- 部屋を清潔にする (Clean the room)
- 清潔なシーツ (Clean sheets)
- 家の中を清潔に (Inside the house clean)
- 清潔好き (Clean-freak)
Politics/Business
- 清潔な政治 (Clean politics)
- 清潔なイメージ (Clean image)
- 取引の清潔性 (Integrity of transactions)
- 清潔な一票 (Clean vote)
对话开场白
"日本に来て、一番清潔だと思った場所はどこですか? (Where is the place you thought was the cleanest after coming to Japan?)"
"レストランを選ぶとき、清潔感はどのくらい重要ですか? (When choosing a restaurant, how important is the sense of cleanliness?)"
"「清潔感がある人」とは、具体的にどんな人だと思いますか? (Specifically, what kind of person do you think a 'person with a sense of cleanliness' is?)"
"あなたの国では、清潔さはどのように教育されますか? (In your country, how is cleanliness taught?)"
"毎日清潔に保つのが一番大変な場所はどこですか? (Where is the hardest place to keep clean every day?)"
日记主题
今日、あなたが清潔だと感じた瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about a moment today when you felt something was 'seiketsu'.)
日本の「清潔文化」について、あなたの意見を述べてください。 (State your opinion on Japan's 'cleanliness culture'.)
清潔感(seiketsu-kan)を保つために、あなたが毎日していることは何ですか? (What do you do every day to maintain your 'seiketsu-kan'?)
「清潔な政治」は可能だと思いますか?その理由も書いてください。 (Do you think 'clean politics' is possible? Write the reason as well.)
子供たちに清潔の大切さを教えるには、どうすればいいと思いますか? (What do you think is the best way to teach children the importance of cleanliness?)
常见问题
10 个问题No, 'seiketsu' is strictly for hygiene and purity. Use 'kirei' for beauty.
It is a na-adjective (adjectival noun). You use it as 'seiketsu-na' or 'seiketsu-ni'.
It refers to the 'impression of cleanliness' a person gives off through their grooming and clothes.
Use 'eiseiteki' in professional, scientific, or official contexts regarding public health.
Yes, it means 'clean' as in 'not corrupt' or 'transparent'.
You can say 'seiketsu dewa nai' or use the antonym 'fuketsu'.
Yes, to mean the water is safe/hygienic, but use 'tōmei' to mean it's clear.
Yes, it means the room is hygienic and well-maintained.
The direct opposite is '不潔' (fuketsu), meaning filthy or unhygienic.
It is a cultural value rooted in Shinto purity and a social standard for respect and health.
自我测试 182 个问题
Translate: 'Please keep your hands clean.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This restaurant is very hygienic.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '清潔感' in a sentence about a job interview.
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Translate: 'I want a clean towel.'
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Write a sentence using '清潔に保つ'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Clean water is necessary for life.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a 'clean politician' in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I like clean sheets.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '清潔第一' in a sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Is this room hygienic?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '不潔'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He has a clean image.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Maintaining cleanliness is a duty.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '清潔な環境' in a sentence.
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Translate: 'Please wash your clothes to keep them clean.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write about the importance of 'seiketsu-kan'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Sterile instruments are used here.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I changed into clean clothes.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about 'clean air'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He is a clean-freak.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say: 'Kono heya wa seiketsu desu.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'Te o seiketsu ni shimashou.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na taoru o kudasai.'
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Say: 'Kare wa seiketsu-kan ga arimasu.'
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Say: 'Heya o seiketsu ni tamotsu.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na fuku o kimasu.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu dai-ichi.'
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Say: 'Kono mizu wa seiketsu desu ka.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na image ga suki desu.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na seiji o motomeru.'
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Explain 'seiketsu-kan' in Japanese.
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na kankyō wa taisetsu desu.'
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Say: 'Fuketsu-na te de sawaranaide.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na sheets ni kaeru.'
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Say: 'Kare wa seiketsu-zuki da.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na kūki o suu.'
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Say: 'Seiketsu-na torihiki o suru.'
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Say: 'Mino-mawari o seiketsu ni.'
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Say: 'Hospitals must be seiketsu.'
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Say: 'I love cleanliness.'
Read this aloud:
你说的:
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Listen: '手を清潔にしてください。' What was requested?
Listen: '清潔なタオルはどこですか。' What is the person asking for?
Listen: '彼は清潔感がありますね。' What is the opinion of him?
Listen: '清潔第一でお願いします。' What is the priority?
Listen: '不潔な服を洗ってください。' What should be washed?
Listen: 'この水は清潔ではありません。' Is the water safe?
Listen: '清潔な政治を期待します。' What is expected?
Listen: '部屋を清潔に保ちましょう。' What should we do?
Listen: '清潔なシーツに変えました。' What was changed?
Listen: '彼は清潔好きで有名だ。' What is he famous for?
Listen: '清潔な環境が必要です。' What is needed?
Listen: '手指の清潔を徹底してください。' What is being emphasized?
Listen: '清潔なイメージの俳優。' What kind of actor?
Listen: 'ここを清潔にしてください。' What should be done here?
Listen: '清潔感は大切です。' What is important?
/ 182 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
清潔 (Seiketsu) is the gold standard for hygiene and integrity in Japan. Whether you are washing your hands or maintaining a professional image, being 'seiketsu' shows respect for health and social harmony. Example: 清潔なタオル (A clean/hygienic towel).
- Seiketsu means 'clean' or 'hygienic' and is a na-adjective used for physical and moral purity.
- It is different from 'kirei' because it focuses specifically on sanitation and the absence of germs.
- The concept of 'seiketsu-kan' (looking clean) is vital for social and professional success in Japan.
- Grammatically, use 'seiketsu-na' before nouns and 'seiketsu-ni' before verbs like 'keep' or 'make'.
Don't forget the 'na'!
Always add 'na' when 'seiketsu' comes before a noun. 'Seiketsu-na taoru' is correct.
Aim for 'Seiketsu-kan'
In Japan, looking 'clean' is more important than being fashionable. Iron your clothes!
Seiketsu vs Kirei
Use 'seiketsu' for the kitchen and 'kirei' for the living room view.
Medical Usage
In a hospital, 'seiketsu' means 'sterile'. Pay close attention to signs.
例句
手を清潔に保つことが大切です。