20
汚
Dirty, Pollute
よご.す, よご.れる, けが.す, けが.れる
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
Japan is known for its remarkably clean streets. School children often clean their own classrooms every day, reflecting the cultural value of avoiding 汚れ (yogore), or dirt and mess.
Memory Trick
The water radical (氵) shows something involving water. Imagine clean water becoming muddy and dirty, making it easy to remember 汚 means 'dirty' or 'to pollute.'
Readings
Onyomi: オ (o)
Kunyomi: よご.す, よご.れる, けが.す, けが.れる
Example Words
汚れる
よごれる (yogoreru)
To become dirty
汚す
よごす (yogosu)
To make dirty
汚染
おせん (osen)
Pollution
汚点
おてん (oten)
Stain, Blot
Example Sentence
服 が 汚れて しまいました。
ふく が よごれて しまいました。
fuku ga yogorete shimaimashita
My clothes became dirty.