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).
Hand washing is the foundation of hygiene.
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).
It's important to maintain cleanliness.
Literally 'cleanliness of one's surroundings/person', used for personal grooming and tidiness.
Let's pay attention to personal cleanliness.
Referring to hygiene in the context of community health, sanitation systems, or food safety.
Specifically referring to cleanliness of the mouth and teeth.
Habits and practices conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis.
The direct translation used in health contexts.
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.
Please follow the Food Sanitation Law.
Hygiene management is thoroughly implemented at the factory.
To maintain dental hygiene, I floss every day.