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汚す
kegasu
to dirty, to soil, to make unclean
彼はシャツを汚した。
He dirtied his shirt.
general
To make something dirty or unclean by staining, soiling, or contaminating it.
この子は手を汚してしまった。
The child got their hands dirty.
油が床を汚した。
The oil soiled the floor.
Often used to describe accidental or intentional actions that result in dirt or stains.
figurative
To tarnish someone's reputation or honor by spreading rumors or false information.
彼は噂を広めて彼女の評判を汚した。
He spread rumors and tarnished her reputation.
In this sense, it is often used in a negative or critical context.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
Be mindful of the context when using '汚す'. In everyday conversations, it often refers to physical dirt, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe tarnishing someone's reputation.
Gold Rule
Causative Meaning
Remember that '汚す' is a causative verb, meaning it describes the action of making something dirty or unclean, rather than the state of being dirty itself.
Word Origin
Derived from the verb '汚い' (kitanai), meaning 'dirty' or 'unclean', with the causative suffix '-su' indicating the action of making something dirty.
Usage Notes
The verb '汚す' is often used in both literal and figurative contexts. In literal contexts, it refers to physical dirt or stains, while in figurative contexts, it can refer to tarnishing someone's reputation or honor.
Word Breakdown
汚
dirty, unclean
rootす
causative suffix
suffix和英辞典