Translation guide
The English word 'sanitary' refers to conditions or practices that promote health and prevent disease, especially by being clean and free of germs. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on whether you are describing a state (clean/hygienic), an action (sanitizing), or products/equipment (sanitary goods).
Describing a place, object, or condition as clean and free from germs, promoting health.
The most common and direct equivalent for 'sanitary' as an adjective. Used for environments, practices, and objects.
This restaurant is very sanitary.
It's important to maintain a sanitary environment.
Means 'clean' or 'pure'. Often overlaps with 'sanitary' when referring to cleanliness, but focuses more on the absence of dirt rather than the health aspect. Can be used for personal hygiene.
Please use a sanitary (clean) towel.
Keep your hands sanitary/clean.
The negative form, meaning 'unsanitary'. Useful to know as a warning or description of poor conditions.
That kitchen is unsanitary.
Referring to items used for hygiene, such as sanitary napkins, sanitary ware, or sanitary fittings.
Specifically means 'sanitary products' in the context of menstruation (sanitary napkins, tampons). This is the standard term.
You can buy sanitary products at the pharmacy.
A broader term for 'sanitary goods' or 'hygiene products', including masks, disinfectants, etc., not limited to menstrual products.
Stockpiling sanitary supplies is important.
Loanword from English, often used in compound terms like サニタリーボックス (sanitary bin) or サニタリールーム (sanitary room). Not used as a standalone adjective.
The sanitary bin is in the restroom.
Talking about regulations, standards, or the state of sanitation in a formal or technical context.
Describing the act of making something sanitary, such as cleaning or disinfecting.
Means 'to disinfect' or 'to sanitize'. The most common verb for making something germ-free.
Please sanitize the toilet.
Sanitize a wound.
Means 'to remove bacteria' or 'sanitize'. Often used for household cleaning products and wipes.
Wipe the table with a sanitary (antibacterial) wipe.
Means 'to sterilize' or 'kill germs'. Stronger than 消毒, often used in medical or food preparation contexts.
Sterilize the equipment.
衛生的 (eiseiteki) emphasizes the health aspect and absence of germs, while 清潔 (seiketsu) focuses on physical cleanliness and tidiness. A room can be 清潔 (tidy and dust-free) but not 衛生的 if, for example, raw meat was left on the counter. For 'sanitary', 衛生的 is usually the better fit.
This hospital is clean, but I don't know if it's sanitary.
The loanword サニタリー is only used as part of compound nouns (e.g., サニタリーボックス). It cannot be used to say 'This is sanitary.' Use 衛生的 instead.
Is the water sanitary to drink?
Sanitary napkins are provided free of charge.
We need to meet the new sanitary standards.