洗あらい清きよめる

Meanings

1

ichidan verb

wash clean; cleanse; purify by washing

Emphasizes thorough washing that removes dirt or impurities, often with a nuance of spiritual or ritual purification. Used for physical objects, body parts, or abstract cleansing.

川かわの水みずで手てを洗あらい清きよめる。
I wash my hands clean with river water.
心こころを洗あらい清きよめるような音おん楽がく

だっ

た

。

It was music that cleansed the soul.

Written forms

洗あらい清きよめるUsage81%
Standard kanji spelling; the compound verb combines 洗う (wash) and 清める (purify).
あらいきよめるUsage19%
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially in informal writing or when the kanji are considered heavy.

Kanji

洗wash, inquire into, probe
清pure, purify, cleanse

Similar words

洗あらう
洗う is the general verb for 'to wash', while 洗い清める adds the nuance of thorough cleansing or purification.
清きよめる
清める means 'to purify' or 'to cleanse' in a more abstract or ritual sense; 洗い清める specifies purification by washing.

Etymology

Compound of 洗い (continuative form of 洗う 'wash') + 清める ('purify'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally expresses thorough cleansing.