JLPT N2・N4 Vocabulary – “よごれ” or “けがれ”? The Meanings and Usage Differences of “汚れ”
Table of Contents
1. The Meanings and Usage Differences of “汚れ”
2. よごれ
3. けがれ
4. Summary
5. Similer Articles
6. Comment
Q: What is the difference between reading “汚れ” as “よごれ” and “けがれ”?
A: Although both “よごれ” and “けがれ” use the same kanji 「汚れ」, they differ significantly in pronunciation, meaning, and usage.
This page explains their differences and how to distinguish between them, using clear examples for easy understanding.
よごれ
[Meaning]
Something unpleasant or dirty that can be visually confirmed, such as on objects or the body
[Related Words]
汚す (transitive verb), 汚れる (intransitive verb)
[Examples]
公園で遊んで、くつに汚れがつきました。
I played in the park and got dirt on my shoes.
手の汚れをせっけんで洗いました。
I washed the dirt off my hands with soap.
シャツにコーヒーの汚れが残っていて、洗濯しても落ちません。
There’s a coffee stain left on my shirt that won’t come out even after washing.
キッチンのシンクに油の汚れがこびりついています。
Grease stains are stuck to the kitchen sink.
Visibly noticeable dirt or stains that are perceived as unpleasant. This word is mainly used for visible grime on clothing or the surface of objects.
[Examples]
テーブルに黒い汚れがついています。
There’s a black stain on the table.
⇒ The black stain is something that can be visually identified and is recognized by the speaker as unclean.
庭の手入れをしていたら、服に汚れがついてしまいました。
While I was tending the garden, my clothes got dirty.
子供が遊んで帰ってくると、服にはたくさんの汚れがついています。
When children come home after playing, their clothes are covered in dirt.
けがれ
[Meaning]
① A state in which mental or spiritual purity and innocence are lost
② A state in which one’s honor or reputation has been damaged or disgraced
[Related Words]
汚す/ 穢す (transitive verb), 汚れる/ 穢れる (intransitive verb)
[Examples]
子供の心にはけがれがありません。（①）
A child’s heart is pure and untainted.
清めの儀式は、心身についたけがれを祓うために行われます。（①）
The purification ceremony is held to cleanse both physical and spiritual impurity.
過ちを犯し、彼女はかつての名声にけがれをつけてしまいました。（②）
After committing a mistake, she tarnished her once-glorious reputation.
長年守ってきたブランドの信頼が、たった一度の不祥事でけがされました。（②）
The trust that had been built in the brand over many years was damaged by a single scandal.
Unlike “よごれ,” which refers to visible dirt, “けがれ” describes an abstract, invisible concept.
It is often written with the kanji “穢れ.”
This term can be understood from three main perspectives:
・Loss of spiritual or emotional purity
・Damage to one’s social or moral reputation
・Religious impurity or defilement
◆ Spiritual Defilement
This refers to a state in which purity or sincerity of the heart is not maintained.
[Examples]
子供のきらきらした笑顔は、心がけがれていない証拠です。
The sparkle in the child’s smile is proof of a pure and untainted heart.
⇒ This describes the “pure heart” in a positive and affirming way.
この詩には、けがれのない愛がまっすぐに表現されています。
This poem expresses a love that is free of impurity, with direct sincerity.
彼女のけがれのない心は、傷ついた人々の心を癒やしました。
Her unblemished heart brought healing to those who were wounded emotionally.
◆ Moral or Ethical Defilement
This refers to the loss of social reputation caused by dishonesty or betrayal by someone of honorable status.
[Examples]
その事件は、彼のキャリアに消せないけがれを残しました。
The incident left an indelible stain on his career.
⇒ This indicates a serious blow to his professional reputation and the loss of social trust.
彼の裏切り行為は、一族全体にけがれをもたらしました。
His act of betrayal brought disgrace upon his entire family.
◆ Religious Defilement
In ancient Buddhism and Shinto, things such as epidemics, death, bleeding, and sin were traditionally considered “impure” or “defiled,” and thus not sacred.
[Examples]
その神職は不義の罪によってけがれを負い、社殿への立ち入りを禁じられました。
The shrine priest was burdened with impurity due to a wrongful act and was prohibited from entering the sanctuary.
⇒ This means the priest, who serves the gods, lost their spiritual purity.
古代日本では、出産や流血も一時的なけがれと見なされていました。
In ancient Japan, even childbirth or bleeding was considered a temporary form of defilement.
神事を行う前には、参加者全員がけがれを祓わなければなりません。
Before performing a sacred ritual, all participants had to undergo purification to cleanse themselves of impurity.
◆ Related Expressions
けがれを祓う：To purify oneself of impurity or misfortune through a Shinto ritual
[Example] 神前に立つ前にけがれを祓う。
Before standing before the gods, one must be purified of impurity.
けがれを負う：To be burdened with impurity or disgrace due to sin or wrongdoing, losing social or spiritual purity
[Example] 彼は裏切りによってけがれを負った。
He bore impurity as a result of his betrayal.
けがれを清める（浄める）：To perform a religious purification rite to remove sin or defilement
[Example] 昔は川で身を清めると、けがれが落ちると信じられていた。
In the past, it was believed that bathing in a river would wash away impurity.
Summary
[よごれ]
- Refers to visible, physical dirt.
- Used to describe uncleanliness that can be seen with the eyes, such as mud, stains, or dust.
[けがれ]
- Refers to invisible, abstract impurity.
- Used in reference to emotional states, honor, or religious purity—representing spiritual or symbolic defilement.
- The word uses two different kanji—「汚れ」and「穢れ」—which are chosen based on context and meaning.
- The meaning of けがれ falls into three categories:
1. Spiritual: Loss of purity or sincerity of the heart
2. Moral/Ethical: Dishonor caused by wrongdoing or betrayal
3. Religious: Loss of sacredness due to sin, death, or bloodshed
Similer Articles
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