1.
unclean, dirty, unsanitary, filthy
The state of being dirty or unhygienic, either physically or morally.
不潔 is a na-adjective meaning unclean or unsanitary. It emphasizes a lack of hygiene rather than just being visually dirty.
WORD FORMATION:
不 (not, un-) + 潔 (clean, pure)
GRAMMAR:
- 不潔な + noun: unsanitary [noun]
- [noun]は不潔だ: [noun] is unclean
CONTRAST:
- 不潔 (unhygienic, formal/clinical) ↔ 清潔 (clean, hygienic)
- 汚い (dirty, colloquial, broader) vs. 不潔 (unhygienic, more specific to hygiene)
汚い can describe anything dirty (a messy room, muddy shoes), while 不潔 specifically implies poor hygiene or sanitation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不潔な環境: unsanitary environment
- 不潔な手: unclean hands
- 不潔な印象: an impression of uncleanliness
REGISTER:
More formal/clinical than 汚い. Often used in health, medical, and hygiene contexts.
Related Words
Antonym:
清潔 (clean)