清: the kanji for pure; clean; clear
清 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means pure; clean; clear. Below are its readings, 6 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
清 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
清 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
セイ (sei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 清潔せいけつ · seiketsu | clean; hygienic |
| 清掃せいそう · seisō | cleaning |
| 清算せいさん · seisan | settling (accounts) |
きよい (kiyoi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 清いきよい · kiyoi | pure; clear |
| 清らかきよらか · kiyoraka | pure; clear |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 清, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 清水しみず · shimizu | clear spring water |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 手をいつも清潔にしておく。Te o itsumo seiketsu ni shite oku.I always keep my hands clean.
- 毎朝、駅の清掃が行われている。Maiasa, eki no seisō ga okonawarete iru.The station is cleaned every morning.
- 山の清水はとても冷たい。Yama no shimizu wa totemo tsumetai.The spring water in the mountains is very cold.
- 清らかな川の流れを見ていた。Kiyoraka na kawa no nagare o mite ita.I was watching the clear flowing river.
- 会計を清算してから帰った。Kaikei o seisan shite kara kaetta.I settled the bill before going home.
Questions about 清
How many strokes does 清 have?
清 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 清?
The on readings are sei (セイ), shou (ショウ). The kun readings are kiyoi (きよい), kiyomaru (きよまる), kiyomeru (きよめる).
What JLPT level is 清?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Qualities and conditions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 清
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.