Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "wash out" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether they mean removing a stain, cleaning a container, canceling an event due to weather, or something else.
To clean something so that a stain or dirt is gone, often from fabric.
The most direct equivalent, meaning to wash off or wash out a stain. It's a compound verb combining 'wash' and 'drop/remove'.
泥汚れを洗い落とした。
I washed out the mud stains.
A more transparent phrase meaning 'wash and remove'. Slightly less compact but very clear.
このシミは洗って落とせますか？
Can this stain be washed out?
Intransitive verb meaning 'to come out' (of a stain). Use when the stain is the subject.
この汚れは洗っても落ちない。
This dirt won't wash out even if I wash it.
To remove residue from a cup, bottle, or other container by rinsing with water.
Means to rinse out. Commonly used for cups, bottles, and mouths.
コップをすすいでください。
Please wash out the cup.
口をすすぐ。
Rinse out one's mouth.
Similar to すすぐ, often used for rinsing out containers or mouths. Slightly more colloquial.
Literally 'wash the inside'. A simple alternative when the specific verb is unknown.
瓶の中を洗って乾かした。
I washed out the bottle and dried it.
When an outdoor event is canceled or spoiled because of rain.
Common expression meaning an event is 'washed out' by rain. Literally 'flow away due to rain'.
運動会は雨で流れた。
The sports day was washed out by rain.
More straightforward: 'canceled due to rain'. Less idiomatic but perfectly clear.
試合は雨で中止になった。
The game was washed out by rain.
Very casual/slangy way to say something is ruined or spoiled by rain. Use only in informal contexts.
ピクニックは雨でおじゃんになった。
The picnic got washed out by the rain.
When colors become pale or disappear due to washing.
Means color fading or bleeding during washing. Often used for clothes.
このジーンズは色落ちしやすい。
These jeans wash out easily.
General verb for fading (color, memory, etc.). Can be used for colors fading from washing or sunlight.
洗濯で色があせた。
The color washed out in the laundry.
To make someone feel extremely tired or drained.
Means 'to exhaust completely'. A strong expression for being washed out physically.
その仕事で彼は疲れ果てた。
That job washed him out.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to be completely exhausted. Often used for oneself.
一日中立ちっぱなしでへとへとだ。
I'm washed out from standing all day.
When soil, land, or a structure is gradually removed by flowing water.
Means 'to erode'. Used for water washing away soil or rock.
川岸が浸食された。
The riverbank was washed out.
Passive of 'to wash away'. Commonly used for roads or bridges being washed out by floods.
大雨で橋が流された。
The bridge was washed out by heavy rain.
The verb 洗い流す (あらいながす) means 'to wash away' but often implies using a stream of water to carry something away, like washing dirt off a car or body. It's not always the best fit for 'wash out' a stain or container.
Wash out the plastic bottle before throwing it away.