Translation guide
The act of cleaning something with water or other liquid, typically using soap or detergent. This guide covers how to express washing of various objects, body parts, and abstract concepts in Japanese.
To clean inanimate objects using water and often soap or detergent.
The most common verb for washing objects. Transitive verb, takes the object being washed with を.
Specifically for washing laundry (clothes, linens). Often used as a noun 洗濯.
Washing with water only, without soap. Often used for delicate items or food.
Can this sweater be washed with water?
To clean parts of the body with water and often soap.
General verb for washing body parts. Use with the body part as object.
Please wash your hands.
I wash my face.
To take a shower, implying washing the whole body. Literally 'to bathe in a shower'.
I took a shower in the morning.
Formal/technical term for washing hair. Often used in salons or product instructions.
Please rinse well after washing your hair.
To remove something undesirable by washing, or metaphorically to cleanse.
To wash away, rinse off. Transitive, often used for dirt, soap, or abstract things like fatigue.
To remove (stains, dirt) by washing. Often used with 洗剤で (with detergent).
This detergent removes dirt.
Metaphorical: to wash away one's sins. Literary/religious.
He prayed to wash away his sins.
To clean oneself, often quickly or as a routine.
To wash one's face. Very common morning/evening routine.
When I wake up, first I wash my face.
Hand washing (noun). Often used in signs or instructions.
Don't forget to wash your hands.
To get ready (including washing up, changing clothes, etc.). Not exclusively washing, but includes it.
I quickly got ready (washed up and dressed).
Referring to the appliance or the process of machine washing.
Using 'washing' as a noun in English, e.g., 'the washing' or 'do the washing'.
洗う is the general verb for washing objects or body parts. 洗濯する is specifically for washing laundry. You cannot use 洗濯する for washing dishes or your face.
wash clothes
wash dishes (incorrect usage)
The English phrasal verb 'wash up' can mean washing dishes (UK) or washing oneself (US). In Japanese, specify the object: 皿を洗う for dishes, 顔を洗う for face. There is no single verb that covers both.
I need to do the washing.
She is washing her hair.
The car needs a wash.