i-adjective
gracious; sportsmanlike; noble
Describes a person or attitude that accepts defeat, apologizes, or faces difficulty with dignity and without resentment. Often used in contexts like 潔く負ける (to lose gracefully) or 潔く謝る (to apologize without excuses).
彼は潔く負けを認めた。
He graciously admitted defeat.
潔く謝るのが大人
Apologizing without making excuses is the mature thing to do.
i-adjective
Dated term for a person of integrity, righteous character, or innocent heart. Modern usage is limited; often replaced by 誠実 or 正直 in everyday speech.
彼は潔い心の持ち主だと昔の人は言った。
People in the past said he was a person of pure heart.
i-adjective
Archaic use for scenery or nature that is untouched and beautiful. Not used in modern Japanese; found only in classical literature.
古い歌には、潔い山水の景色が詠まれている。
In old poems, unspoiled mountain and river scenery is celebrated.