1.
to purify, to cleanse ritually
To make something spiritually or ritually clean. Strongly associated with Shinto purification rites such as sprinkling salt, washing hands at a shrine, or performing other purification rituals.
塩で場を清める。
Purify the area with salt.
神社の入り口で手を清めた。
I purified my hands at the entrance to the shrine.
神主が祈りを捧げて土地を清めた。
The Shinto priest offered prayers and purified the land.
2.
to clean, to make pure
To make something physically or morally clean. Used more broadly for cleaning a space or purifying one's heart or mind.
心を清める。
To purify one's heart.
空気を清めるために窓を開けた。
I opened the window to clear the air.
瞑想で心身を清めてから一日を始める。
I start the day by purifying mind and body through meditation.
USAGE:
Strongly associated with Shinto purification practices. At shrines, visitors wash their hands and mouth at the temizuya (手水舎) — this act is called 手を清める. Sumo wrestlers throw salt to 清める the ring before a bout.
The noun form 清め refers to the act of purification itself.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 身を清める: to purify oneself
- 心を清める: to purify one's heart
- 手を清める: to wash/purify one's hands (at a shrine)
- 場を清める: to purify a place
- 塩で清める: to purify with salt