Translation guide
The English word 'impurities' can refer to physical contaminants, moral flaws, or ritual uncleanness. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from everyday dirt to spiritual defilement.
Unwanted substances mixed into something, like dirt in water or chemicals in a product.
The most direct and common translation for physical impurities in substances like water, air, or chemicals. Used in technical and everyday contexts.
This water contains impurities.
Remove impurities with a filter.
Literally 'mixed-in things'. A more casual, everyday term for unwanted substances mixed in, like dirt in rice.
There were impurities in the rice.
A technical term used in chemistry or manufacturing for foreign matter or contaminants. Often seen in written specifications.
Foreign matter got into the product.
Impurity in a moral, spiritual, or ritual sense, such as sin, corruption, or uncleanliness in religious contexts.
Refers to ritual impurity or defilement in Shinto and traditional Japanese culture. Can also be used metaphorically for moral corruption.
Means uncleanliness or impurity, often in a religious or moral sense. Can refer to things considered taboo or defiling.
General word for dirt or stain, but can also mean moral impurity or defilement in context.
General term for unwanted elements in a material, often used in manufacturing or quality control.
穢れ (kegare) is specifically ritual or spiritual impurity in Shinto. 不浄 (fujō) is a broader term for uncleanliness, often used in religious or formal contexts. 汚れ (yogore) is the most general word for dirt or stain, but can imply moral impurity in metaphorical use.
Do not use 不純物 for moral or spiritual impurity. It only refers to physical contaminants. For moral impurity, use 穢れ or 汚れ.
Cleanse the impurities of the heart.
Death is sometimes considered an impurity.
Wash away the impurities of the heart.
This water contains impurities.