顔(かお)を洗(あら)う

かおをあらう
expression
to wash one's face
daily-lifebody-part
1. to wash one's face
The standard collocation for washing the face, typically as part of the morning or evening routine. Uses the generic verb 洗(あら)う ('to wash'), which covers any kind of washing done with water.
朝(あさ)、顔(かお)を洗(あら)う。
I wash my face in the morning.
冷(つめ)たい水(みず)で顔(かお)を洗(あら)った。
I washed my face with cold water.
起(お)きたら、まず顔(かお)を洗(あら)って歯(は)を磨(みが)く。
When I wake up, I first wash my face and brush my teeth.
夜(よる)、化粧(けしょう)を落(お)としてから洗顔(せんがん)フォームで顔(かお)を洗(あら)います。
At night, I remove my makeup and then wash my face with face wash.

Formed from 顔(かお) ('face') + を + 洗(あら)う ('to wash'). The single-character noun form 洗顔(せんがん) ('face-washing') exists alongside this verb phrase, especially in product names.

Usage

  • Standard phrasing; not slang or formal.
  • Refers to washing with water, with or without soap or cleanser. The product used is often specified: 石(せっ)けんで顔(かお)を洗(あら)う ('wash one's face with soap').
  • Can be used figuratively in expressions like 顔(かお)を洗(あら)って出直(でなお)せ ('go wash your face and come back again' — i.e., pull yourself together and try again).
  • 顔(かお)を洗(あら)って出直(でなお)せ: literally 'go wash your face and come back' — a reprimand meaning 'clean up your act' or 'try again from scratch.'

Common collocations

  • 朝(あさ)顔(かお)を洗(あら)う: wash one's face in the morning
  • 水(みず)で顔(かお)を洗(あら)う: wash one's face with water
  • 石(せっ)けんで顔(かお)を洗(あら)う: wash one's face with soap
  • 洗顔(せんがん)フォームで顔(かお)を洗(あら)う: wash one's face with cleansing foam

Related words

Related Words

Related: 洗顔(せんがん) (to do face-washing)
general
Added 2026.4.13 2:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23500/23572_kaowoarau