Onyomi: セン · Kunyomi: あら.う · Meanings: inquire into, probe, wash
Kanji for inquire into, probe, wash
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The kanji 洗 is made from two parts: 氵(water) and 先(ahead, before). The left part, 氵, shows that the meaning has to do with water. The right part, 先, means “before” or “in front.” Together, they form the idea of using water to make something clean or fresh again — washing it so it’s ready for what comes next.
Made from 氵(water) and 先(before). It shows using water to clean something and make it new — to wash.
This kanji says: use water (氵) to prepare for what comes next (先) — 洗 means to wash or clean.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 洗 | せん | washing machine, (clothes) washer | Noun |
| 澄まし | すまし | primness, putting on airs, prim person | Noun |
| 洗濯 | せんたく | washing, laundry | common JLPT-N5 Noun, Suru verb, Transitive verb |
| 洗う | あらう | to wash, to cleanse, to rinse | common JLPT-N5 Godan verb with 'u' ending, Transitive verb |
| 洗剤 | せんざい | detergent, cleanser, cleaning agent, washing material | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 洗濯機 | せんたくき | washing machine, (clothes) washer | common Noun |
| 洗礼 | せんれい | baptism, christening | common Noun |
| 洗浄 | せんじょう | washing, cleansing, cleaning, laundering | common Noun, Suru verb |
| 洗練 | せんれん | refinement, polish | common Noun, Suru verb, Transitive verb |
| 洗面所 | せんめんじょ | washroom, bathroom | common Noun |