清
清·pure, clean
- On-yomi
- セイショウ
- Kun-yomi
- きよ(い)きよ(める)
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 |
| 清書 | せいしょ | fair copy |
| 清い | きよい | pure, clear |
| 清算 | せいさん | settling of accounts |
Example sentences
台所はいつも清潔にしている。
だいどころはいつもせいけつにしている。
I always keep the kitchen clean.
下書きを清書して先生に出した。
したがきをせいしょしてせんせいにだした。
I made a fair copy of the draft and handed it to the teacher.
山の清い水をそのまま飲んだ。
やまのきよいみずをそのままのんだ。
I drank the pure mountain water just as it was.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 清書 as きよしょ — it is せいしょ
- Confusing 清算 (settling accounts) with 精算 (adjusting a fare or expense)
Memory aid
Picture it
Water 氵 beside 青 (blue) — clear blue water is clean water.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 清いきよいclear, pure, noble
- 清掃せいそうcleaning, sanitation (formal)
- 清書せいしょfair copy, clean copy (of a draft)
- 清むすむto become clear (of water or air), to become transparent, to ring clearly (of a voice)
- 清掃するせいそうするto clean (up)
- 清潔せいけつclean, hygienic
- 清算せいさんliquidation, settlement
- ご清栄ごせいえいyour prosperity (formal greeting)
- 清々しいすがすがしいrefreshing, bracing
- 清廉せいれんhonest, upright
- 清濁せいだくpurity and impurity; good and evil; (in phonetics) voiceless and voiced sounds
- 清らかきよらかclean; pure; limpid; chaste
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 清 mean?