1.
impure; contaminated; not pure
Containing foreign substances or elements that compromise purity. Used for physical substances like water or metals.
不純物を取り除く。
To remove impurities.
この水には不純物が含まれている。
This water contains impurities.
不純物の少ない高品質な素材を使用している。
We use high-quality materials with few impurities.
2.
impure; dishonest; having ulterior motives
Having hidden, selfish, or morally questionable motives. Often used to describe relationships or intentions that are not sincere.
不純な動機で近づく。
To approach someone with impure motives.
不純異性交遊は校則違反だ。
Illicit relationships with the opposite sex are a violation of school rules.
ボランティアに参加した動機が不純だと批判された。
He was criticized for having impure motives for participating in volunteer work.
WORD FORMATION:
不 (not) + 純 (pure). The opposite of 純粋 (pure).
SENSE 1 — PHYSICAL IMPURITY:
Almost always appears in the compound 不純物 (impurities, contaminants). Common in scientific, industrial, and product quality contexts.
SENSE 2 — MORAL IMPURITY:
Describes motives, intentions, or relationships that are not sincere or have ulterior elements.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不純物: impurities, contaminants
- 不純な動機: impure/ulterior motives
- 不純異性交遊: illicit romantic relationships (dated term from school rules)
CONTRAST:
- 純粋: pure (both physically and morally)
- 不潔: unclean, unsanitary (physical dirtiness)