JLPT N1
垢
It’s the grime you scrub off your body. It’s also used metaphorically for spiritual or emotional tarnish.
Readings
1 Noun
Grime" / "Body Dirt
The buildup of dirt, dead skin, and sweat on the body, or the scum that forms in bathwater.
Example
お 風呂 に 入って 、 体 の 垢 を しっかり 落とした 。
I took a bath and scrubbed off all the grime from my body.
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2 Noun
Impurity" / "Tarnish" (Metaphorical)
A metaphorical stain on one’s reputation, a spiritual impurity, or a lingering negative influence from the past.
Usage notes & examples
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