How to say "washing" in Japanese

• 洗濯せんたくJLPT N5approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers washing clothes and other laundry, the everyday household chore. This is the word you want when 'washing' means doing the laundry rather than cleaning other things.
  この綿めんのシャツは洗濯せんたくがよく効きく。↗

  This cotton shirt washes well.
• 洗浄せんじょうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to washing or cleansing something thoroughly, often mechanical, medical, or technical cleaning rather than household chores. Choose it when 'washing' or 'cleansing' describes cleaning an object or surface.
  包帯ほうたいをする前まえに彼かれは傷きずを洗浄せんじょうした。↗

  He cleansed the wound before putting on a bandage.
• 洗い物あらいものCommon
  nounLiterally things to be washed: most typically the dirty dishes after a meal, sometimes laundry. When 'washing' is a noun for the pile of items awaiting washing, this is the natural choice.
  洗い物あらいものを手伝てつだいに行いって下ください。↗

  Go and help wash up, will you?

Use 洗濯 for washing laundry (clothes), 洗浄 for washing or cleansing something thoroughly, and 「洗い物」 mainly for dirty dishes or things waiting to be washed.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 洗濯せんたくwashing
• 洗浄せんじょうwashing
• 洗い物あらいものthings to be washed
• 洗いあらいwashing
• 洗滌せんできwashing
• 洗いっこあらいっこwashing (someone else's body)
• 斎戒沐浴さいかいもくよくpurification