不浄
Meanings
na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Formal word for physical uncleanness or ritual, religious, or moral impurity; often more serious or ceremonial than everyday 汚い.
In the past, there was a way of thinking that regarded death as impure.
In the ritual, unclean water is not used.
Euphemistic noun for a toilet room, usually in the form ご不浄. It sounds old-fashioned or very indirect compared with modern トイレ or お手洗い.
See also: ご不浄
The lavatory is at the end of the hallway.
Archaic noun sense based on the idea of ritual impurity; modern Japanese normally uses 月経, 生理, or other terms instead.
In old writing, 不浄 can refer to menstruation.
Archaic noun sense for excrement; not a normal modern everyday term for feces.
In old usage, 不浄 can mean feces.
Usage patterns
- 不浄を清めるto purify uncleanness or defilement
Before the ritual, the Shinto priest purified himself of impurity.
- ご不浄に行くto go to the toilet (old-fashioned, euphemistic)
My grandmother still says 'I'm going to the lavatory' using this old-fashioned expression.
- 不浄な物に触れるto touch something considered impure or unclean
People in the past believed that touching something impure would defile them.