Translation and Meaning of: 洗う - arau

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably come across the verb 洗う (あらう, arau), which means "to wash." But do you know how this kanji originated, how it is used in daily life, or even how to memorize it efficiently? In this article, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, and the meaning behind this very useful word in Japanese vocabulary. Additionally, you will discover practical sentences to include in your Anki or other spaced repetition systems, since Suki Nihongo is the largest online Japanese dictionary for students.

The origin and etymology of 洗う

The kanji 洗 is composed of two main elements: the radical 氵(さんずい, sanzui), which represents water, and the component 先 (せん, sen), which originally meant "foot" or "to advance." Together, they form the idea of "washing with water," something that makes perfect sense when we think about activities like washing clothes, dishes, or even hands. Interestingly, this kanji is not exclusive to Japanese — it came from Chinese, where it also carries the meaning of cleanliness.

In ancient Japanese, the verb あらう (arau) existed even before the introduction of kanji writing in the country. With the arrival of Chinese characters, the Japanese adopted the kanji 洗 to represent this sound and meaning. If you've ever had difficulty remembering how to write this character, a tip is to visualize water (氵) flowing over something that needs to be cleaned—an image that helps to fix both the writing and the meaning of the word.

How 洗う is used in everyday life

In Japan, 洗う is an extremely common verb, appearing in situations ranging from personal hygiene to household chores. You might hear phrases like 手を洗う (てをあらう, te wo arau), which means "wash your hands," or 野菜を洗う (やさいをあらう, yasai wo arau), used when washing vegetables before cooking. In convenience stores, it is common to see notices such as 洗ってください (あらってください, aratte kudasai), asking customers to wash their hands before eating.

An interesting curiosity is that, in Japan, washing something goes beyond physical cleanliness — there is an almost ritualistic aspect, especially regarding purification. For example, before entering a Shinto shrine, people wash their hands and mouth at a source called 手水舎 (てみずや, temizuya), following a specific protocol. This shows how the act of 洗う is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, going far beyond its literal meaning.

Tips for memorizing and using 洗う

If you're struggling to remember how to conjugate 洗う, try creating visual associations. The kanji itself is a clue: water (氵) flowing over something dirty. A technique that works well is to imagine yourself washing something while repeating the verb in its different forms — 洗います (araimasu, formal), 洗っている (aratte iru, continuous), 洗った (aratta, past). Associating the sound with the action can help cement the vocabulary in long-term memory.

Another valuable tip is to pay attention to the compounds in which 洗 appears, such as 洗濯 (せんたく, sentaku, "doing laundry") or 洗顔 (せんがん, sengan, "washing the face"). These words are very commonly used in everyday life and can be great for expanding your vocabulary. And if you want a trick to never forget, think about how the act of washing something in Japan often has an almost ceremonial tone — this can add extra meaning to the word and make it more memorable.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 洗う

• 洗う - Form dictionary
• 洗います - Polite polite form
• 洗わない - negative form
• 洗え - imperative form
• 洗って - Shape て continued

Synonyms and similar words

• 洗浄する (Senjou suru) - Clean, purify (usually used in industrial or technical context).
• 洗い流す (Arai nagasu) - Rinse, wash something until it is completely removed.
• 洗い落とす (Arai otosu) - Remove something by washing, like dirt or stains.
• 洗い清める (Arai kiyomeru) - Purify, cleanse in a spiritual or ritual manner.

洗う

Romaji: arau
Kana: あらう
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to wash

Meaning in English: to wash

Definition: Clean something with water or detergent.

Example Sentences - (洗う) arau

See below some example sentences:

食器を洗ってください。

Shokki wo aratte kudasai

Please wash the dishes.

Wash tableware.

• 食器 (shokki) - dishes, cutlery, kitchen utensils
• を (wo) - object particle
• 洗って (aratte) - to wash
• ください (kudasai) - Please, make.

さっと手を洗いました。

Satto te wo araimashita

I quickly washed my hands.

I washed my hands quickly.

• さっと - adverb meaning "quickly"
• 手を洗いました - verb meaning "I washed my hands"

泥だらけの靴を洗いました。

Dei darake no kutsu wo araimashita

I washed my muddy shoes.

Crazy muddy shoes.

• 泥 - mud
• だらけ - Full of
• の - Possession particle
• 靴 - shoes
• を - direct object particle
• 洗いました - washed

洗面所に行って顔を洗いました。

Sennmenjo ni itte kao wo araimashita

I went to the bathroom and washed my face.

• 洗面所 - It means "bathroom" or "restroom".
• に - it is a particle that indicates the place where the action occurs, in this case, "in the bathroom".
• 行って - It is the conjugation of the verb "ir" in the past, indicating that the person went to the bathroom.
• 顔 - It means "face".
• を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "washed the face".
• 洗いました - it is the past form of the verb "lavar", indicating that the person washed their face.

石鹸で手を洗いましょう。

Sekken de te wo araimashou

Let's wash our hands with soap.

Wash your hands with soap.

• 石鹸 (せっけん) - Soap
• で - particle that indicates the means or tool used to carry out the action
• 手 (て) - hand
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 洗いましょう (あらいましょう) - let's wash