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せいせい Japanese meaning | Kotomora

せいせい

せ

い

せ

い

JLPTN1

Meanings

1

adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

feeling refreshed; feeling relieved

usually written using kana alone

Describes a clean, clear, or relieved feeling, often after something bothersome is gone. Used adverbially with と or as a する verb.

試し験けんが終おわってせいせいした。
I felt relieved after the exam was over.
彼かれはせいせいした顔

かお

で

帰かえ

っ

て

いっ

た

。

He went home with a refreshed look on his face.

Written forms

せいせいUsage75%
Usually written in kana; kanji forms are rare and may be confusing.
清せい々せいUsage23%
Rare kanji spelling; the repetition mark 々 is used, but the kana form is strongly preferred.
セイセイUsage2%
清せい清せい
Rare kanji spelling without repetition mark; not commonly used.
晴せい々せい
Rare kanji spelling; the character 晴 suggests clear weather, but the kana form is standard.
晴せい晴せい
Rare kanji spelling without repetition mark; not commonly used.

Kanji

清pure, purify, cleanse
晴clear up

Similar words

すっきり
すっきり emphasizes a crisp, uncluttered feeling, often physical or mental clarity, while せいせい focuses on relief from a burden or unpleasantness.
さっぱり
さっぱり can mean refreshed or neat, but also has a sense of 'not at all' in negative sentences, which せいせい lacks.

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain; it is a mimetic word expressing a sense of clarity and relief, possibly related to the kanji 清 (pure, clear).