Translation guide
The concept of purity in Japanese is expressed through different words depending on whether you mean physical cleanliness, moral innocence, cultural or spiritual purification, or the concentration of a substance. The most common and versatile word is 純粋, which covers both literal and figurative purity.
Describing a person, heart, love, or motive that is pure, innocent, or untainted.
The most common word for purity in a figurative sense. It can describe a person's character, intentions, love, or something unadulterated. Often used positively.
He has a pure heart.
I believe in pure love.
Emphasizes cleanliness and beauty, often used for water, sounds, or a person's pure and graceful character. More poetic than 純粋.
She is a person of pure heart.
Means innocent, naive, or unspoiled. Often used for children or someone without worldly experience. Can also mean 'solid' (as in pure gold).
I was healed by the child's innocent smile.
Describing water, air, or objects that are clean and pure.
The standard word for cleanliness and hygiene. Used for rooms, clothes, bodies, etc. Not typically used for moral purity.
This water is clean and drinkable.
Often used for air or water that is pure and free from pollution. More formal and technical than 清潔.
Loanword from English, used in product names or to describe a pure, natural image. Not used for hygiene.
pure water (as a product name)
Referring to the Shinto or Buddhist concept of purification from defilement.
The act of purification, often in a religious or spiritual context. Related to the verb 清める (to purify).
Receive purification at a shrine.
Purification in a broader sense, including spiritual cleansing, but also used for environmental purification (e.g., water purification).
A specific Shinto ritual of purification by washing in water. Often used metaphorically for cleansing oneself of guilt.
Describing the purity of gold, chemicals, or other materials.
The degree of purity, often expressed as a percentage or karat. Used in technical and commercial contexts.
The purity of this gold is 99.9%.
Can also mean 'pure' in the sense of unadulterated, but 純度 is more precise for measurable purity.
純粋 is for abstract purity (heart, love, motive). 清潔 is for physical cleanliness (room, hands). 清らか is for a beautiful, pure quality often with a poetic nuance (water, voice, heart).
清潔 means hygienic, not morally pure. Saying 彼は清潔だ means 'He is clean/hygienic,' not 'He is pure-hearted.' Use 純粋 or 清らか for moral purity.
Maintain a clean environment.
清浄な空気を吸う。
Breathe pure air.
I visited a temple seeking spiritual purification.
Waterfall training is a form of misogi purification.
純粋なアルコール
pure alcohol