洗
洗·wash
- On-yomi
- セン
- Kun-yomi
- あらう
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 洗う | あらう | to wash |
| 洗濯 | せんたく | laundry |
| 洗面所 | せんめんじょ | washroom |
| お手洗い | おてあらい | restroom |
Example sentences
食事の前に手を洗いましょう。
しょくじのまえにてをあらいましょう。
Let's wash our hands before the meal.
天気がいいので洗濯をします。
てんきがいいのでせんたくをします。
The weather is nice, so I'm going to do the laundry.
すみません、お手洗いはどこですか。
すみません、おてあらいはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 洗濯 as *あらたく — the on-reading せんたく is used
- Writing 洗濯 (laundry) when you mean 選択 (せんたく, choice)
Memory aid
Picture it
Water (氵) plus 先 (before) — water goes on first, before anything gets clean.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 洗面台せんめんだいwashstand, bathroom sink
- 洗うあらうto wash
- 洗濯するせんたくするto do laundry
- お手洗いおてあらいbathroom
- 洗濯せんたくwashing, laundry
- 洗濯物せんたくものlaundry
- 洗面所せんめんじょwashroom
- 洗濯機せんたくきwashing machine
- 洗車せんしゃcar wash, washing a car
- 洗剤せんざいdetergent
- 足を洗うあしをあらうto quit (a bad line of work)
- 手洗いてあらいrestroom, lavatory; washing one's hands; washing by hand
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 洗 mean?