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洗

On'yomi
セン
SEN
Kun'yomi
あら.う
arau

wash · inquire into · probe

Details

Strokes9
Frequency#1168
Radical水water(4)

Stroke Order

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Strokes9

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of water and before. Washing with water first.

Symbolism

Wash, laundry, refinement. Represents cleansing and polishing.

Component Breakdown

洗=
氵先

water + 先

Words & Expressions

Words written with 洗

洗うあらうwash
洗礼せんれいbaptism
水洗すいせんrinsing
洗浄せんじょうwashing
洗剤せんざいdetergent
洗練せんれんrefinement

Proverbs & Idioms

洗いざらい

あらいざらい

Everything without exception

Completely, leaving nothing out

Other kanji with the same meaning

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 洗 mean in Japanese?

洗 means wash, inquire into, probe.

How do you read 洗?

On'yomi: セン (SEN). Kun'yomi: あら.う (arau).

How many strokes does 洗 have?

洗 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 水 (water).

Is 洗 a good kanji for a tattoo?

洗 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means wash, inquire into, probe. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

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