The Kanji: 清 (Sei / Shō / Kiyo)
The kanji 清 means "pure," "clear," or "cleanse." It combines 氵 (water) with 青 (blue/green), depicting pristine water in its natural state. This character represents both physical cleanliness and moral purity.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 清い (kiyoi) - Pure
清い心を持つ。
"Have a pure heart."
2. 清掃 (seisō) - Cleaning
教室を清掃する。
"Clean the classroom."
3. 清水 (shimizu) - Clear water
清水が湧き出る。
"Clear water springs forth."
4. 清書 (seisho) - Clean copy
作文を清書する。
"Make a clean copy of the composition."
In summary, 清 describes purity in multiple dimensions - from physical cleanliness (清掃) and clear substances (清水) to moral integrity (清い) and perfected work (清書). It reflects the cultural value placed on purification.