水垢(みずあか)

みずあか
noun
limescale; water scale; hard-water stains
daily-life
1. limescale; water scale; water stains
The whitish, chalky film left behind when tap water evaporates, made up of minerals in the water. Builds up on sinks, bathroom mirrors, kettles, and faucets.
鏡(かがみ)に水垢(みずあか)がついている。
There are water stains on the mirror.
クエン酸(さん)を使(つか)うと水垢(みずあか)がよく落(お)ちる。
Limescale comes off well if you use citric acid.
蛇口(じゃぐち)のまわりに水垢(みずあか)がたまっていたので、歯(は)ブラシでこすって落(お)とした。
Limescale had built up around the faucet, so I scrubbed it off with a toothbrush.

A staple word in cleaning advice and household-product labels.

Common collocations

  • 水垢(みずあか)がつく: limescale forms
  • 水垢(みずあか)を落(お)とす: to remove limescale
  • 水垢(みずあか)がたまる: limescale builds up
  • 水垢(みずあか)取(と)り: a limescale remover

Similar words

  • カビ: mold — black or green growth, a living organism rather than a mineral deposit
  • 湯垢(ゆあか): scale from hot water, kettle scale — the same deposit seen inside kettles and bathtubs
  • よごれ: dirt, grime — the general word covering any kind of soiling

Related Words

Compare: カビ (mold)
Compare: 湯垢(ゆあか) (scale from hot water, kettle scale)
Compare: 汚(よご)れ (dirt, grime)
Compare: 油(あぶら)汚(よご)れ (grease stain)
general
Added 2026.8.5 9:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
30000/30399_mizuaka