潔
潔·undefiled, pure, clean
- On-yomi
- けつ
- Kun-yomi
- いさぎよ.い
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 清潔 | せいけつ | clean, hygienic |
| 簡潔 | かんけつ | concise |
| 不潔 | ふけつ | unclean, filthy |
| 潔白 | けっぱく | innocence, blamelessness |
| 潔い | いさぎよい | graceful, manly (in accepting something) |
Example sentences
台所はいつも清潔にしています。
だいどころはいつもせいけつにしています。
I always keep the kitchen clean.
要点を簡潔にまとめてください。
ようてんをかんけつにまとめてください。
Please sum up the main points concisely.
彼は潔く責任を認めた。
かれはいさぎよくせきにんをみとめた。
He accepted responsibility with good grace.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 潔白 is けっぱく — proving your innocence, not 'pure white'.
- 潔い is いさぎよい: 'clean' in the sense of accepting defeat gracefully, never 'hygienic'.
Memory aid
Picture it
Water 氵 washing something until nothing clings to it: physically clean, and by extension a clean conscience.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 潔 mean?