Translation guide
The English word 'hygiene' refers to practices that maintain health and prevent disease, especially through cleanliness. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through several words and phrases depending on whether you're talking about personal cleanliness, public health, or specific contexts like oral hygiene.
Referring to keeping one's body clean, such as washing hands, bathing, or general grooming.
The most direct translation for 'hygiene' in a general sense. Often used in compounds like 個人衛生 (personal hygiene) or 衛生管理 (hygiene management).
手洗いは衛生の基本です。
Hand washing is the foundation of hygiene.
個人衛生に気をつけてください。
Please pay attention to personal hygiene.
Means 'cleanliness' or 'being clean'. Often used to describe the state of being clean rather than the practice. Common in phrases like 清潔にする (to keep clean).
清潔を保つことは大切です。
It's important to maintain cleanliness.
Literally 'cleanliness of one's surroundings/person', used for personal grooming and tidiness.
身の回りの清潔に気を配りましょう。
Let's pay attention to personal cleanliness.
Referring to hygiene in the context of community health, sanitation systems, or food safety.
Also used for public health contexts. Compounds like 公衆衛生 (public health/hygiene) and 食品衛生 (food hygiene) are standard.
公衆衛生の向上が求められています。
Improvement of public hygiene is required.
食品衛生法を守ってください。
Please follow the Food Sanitation Law.
Specifically 'hygiene management', often used in institutional or commercial settings.
工場では衛生管理が徹底されています。
Hygiene management is thoroughly implemented at the factory.
Specifically referring to cleanliness of the mouth and teeth.
The technical term for 'oral hygiene'. Used in medical/dental contexts.
口腔衛生は全身の健康に影響します。
Oral hygiene affects overall health.
Literally 'tooth hygiene', a more everyday term.
歯の衛生を保つために、毎日フロスを使っています。
To maintain dental hygiene, I floss every day.
Habits and practices conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis.
The direct translation used in health contexts.
睡眠衛生を改善すると、よく眠れるようになります。
Improving sleep hygiene will help you sleep better.
衛生 (eisei) refers to the practice or science of hygiene, while 清潔 (seiketsu) refers to the state of being clean. Use 衛生 for actions and systems, and 清潔 for describing cleanliness.
衛生 is often combined with other nouns to specify the type of hygiene, e.g., 食品衛生 (food hygiene), 精神衛生 (mental hygiene). This is the most productive pattern.