Nuance & Usage
洗う is the general verb for washing. It is transitive — it always takes an object with を: 手を洗う (wash hands), 野菜を洗う (wash vegetables), 服を洗う (wash clothes). The て-form 洗って is used in the imperative or sequential actions. For laundry, 洗濯する (sentaku suru) is more specific and natural. 洗い流す (arainagasu) means to rinse off completely. Compound: 洗い物 (araimono — dishes to wash).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes say 洗いする (incorrect) instead of 洗う. Also: while you 洗う your hands and body, you use 磨く (migaku — to brush/polish) for teeth and shoes. Don't say 歯を洗う (unnatural) — always use 歯を磨く. For body washing in a bath context, 体を洗う is correct, while the reflexive 洗われる sounds passive (being washed).
Example Sentences (3)
食事の前に必ず手を洗ってください。
しょくじのまえにかならずてをあらってください。
Please always wash your hands before meals.
この野菜をよく洗ってから使ってください。
このやさいをよくあらってからつかってください。
Please wash these vegetables well before using them.
週末に車を洗いました。
しゅうまつにくるまをあらいました。
I washed the car on the weekend.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N44 questionsTest your knowledge of 洗う with 4 different question types.
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