Translation and Meaning of: 汚れる - kegareru

The Japanese word 汚れる (けがれる) carries deep meanings and specific uses that go beyond simple translation. If you are looking to better understand its meaning, origin, or how it is used in everyday Japanese, this article will explore all of that clearly and directly. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to simplify language learning, so let’s break down every relevant aspect of this expression.

汚れる is not just about "dirt" in the physical sense, but also about spiritual or moral impurity. This duality makes it applicable in various contexts, from casual conversations to philosophical discussions. If you've come across this word in animes, songs, or texts, understanding its nuances will enrich your comprehension of Japanese.

Meaning and translation of 汚れる

汚れる (けがれる) can be translated as "to become dirty," "to be contaminated," or "to become impure." While the kanji 汚 (けが) is associated with physical dirt, the reading けがれる often carries a more abstract connotation related to spiritual or moral purity. This subtle difference is crucial for using the word correctly.

In religious or traditional contexts, such as in Shintoism, 汚れる is used to describe states of ritual impurity. In everyday life, it can also be used to talk about stained objects or even ruined reputations. This versatility makes it a valuable word for those studying Japanese in depth.

Origin and components of kanji

The kanji 汚 is composed of the water radical (氵) combined with the component 于, which historically represented something "excessive" or "out of place." This combination suggests the idea of something pure that has been altered or corrupted. The presence of the water radical can indicate both liquid dirt and the notion of purification through washing.

Interestingly, the reading けがれる has ancient roots in archaic Japanese, where けが (kega) already meant "wound" or "damage." Over time, the meaning expanded to include concepts of moral impurity, showing how the Japanese language evolved to encompass abstract ideas. This semantic evolution reflects deep cultural values about purity and harmony.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, the notion of 汚れる is closely linked to the concept of kegare (穢れ), an important ritual impurity in Shintoism. Events such as deaths, births, or even illnesses were traditionally seen as sources of kegare, requiring purification rituals. This religious context still influences the modern use of the word, even among non-religious people.

In terms of frequency, 汚れる is not a word from the basic vocabulary, but it appears regularly in discussions about ethics, ecology, or social criticism. Its use in media such as animes often carries a dramatic weight, marking moments of moral decline or loss of innocence. For advanced students, recognizing these contexts is essential for an authentic understanding of Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 汚れる

• 汚れます - polite form
• 汚れる - Neutrum form
• 汚れた - simple past
• 汚れている - Present Continuous
• 汚れました - Polite past
• 汚れています - Polite Gift

Synonyms and similar words

• 汚くなる (kitanakunaru) - Become dirty
• 汚くなす (kitanakunasu) - Make something dirty
• 汚くする (kitanakusuru) - Do something dirty
• 汚す (yogosu) - Pollute, contaminate
• 不潔になる (fuketsu ni naru) - Become unhygienic
• 不潔にする (fuketsu ni suru) - Doing something unhygienic
• 不浄になる (fujou ni naru) - Become unclean
• 不浄にする (fujou ni suru) - Doing something impure
• 穢れる (kegaru) - Maculate, to contaminate (in the sense of purity)
• 穢くなる (kegarunaru) - Become tainted
• 穢くする (kegarusuru) - Maculate, to make something unclean.
• 穢す (kegasu) - Profane, tarnish, make dirty
• 汚れ (kegare) - Filth, dirt, impurity

汚れる

Romaji: kegareru
Kana: けがれる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: get dirty; become dirty

Meaning in English: to get dirty;to become dirty

Definition: Dirty something or a place.

Example Sentences - (汚れる) kegareru

See below some example sentences:

このシャツはすぐに汚れる。

Kono shatsu wa sugu ni yogoreru

This shirt dirty quickly.

This shirt gets dirty immediately.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• シャツ - noun meaning "shirt"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this shirt"
• すぐに - adverb that means "immediately" or "quickly"
• 汚れる - verb that means "to become dirty" or "to stain"