清める・浄める|きよめるkiyomeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

Which spelling to use
清める清める is the more common written form and the one beginners should use by default. It is written with kanji followed by kana.
浄める浄める is a less common written variant of 清める, so learners will encounter it less often and should not choose it first.
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto purify; to cleanse; to exorcise; to purge; to ward off
    縁起えんぎに塩しおをまいて清きよめる。↗
    We sprinkle salt to ward off bad luck.
Conjugation
Dictionary form清める(きよめる)
Polite (masu)清めます(きよめます)
Negative (nai)清めない(きよめない)
polite (masen)清めません(きよめません)
classical zu / nu清めず・清めぬ(きよめず・きよめぬ)
Past (ta)清めた(きよめた)
polite (mashita)清めました(きよめました)
Past negative (nakatta)清めなかった(きよめなかった)
polite (masen deshita)清めませんでした(きよめませんでした)
Te form清めて(きよめて)
Potential清められる(きよめられる)
Passive清められる(きよめられる)
Causative清めさせる(きよめさせる)
Causative passive清めさせられる(きよめさせられる)
Conditional (ba)清めれば(きよめれば)
tara清めたら(きよめたら)
Volitional清めよう(きよめよう)
polite (mashou)清めましょう(きよめましょう)
Imperative清めろ(きよめろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
transitive清めるきよめる⇄intransitive清まるきよまる
心こころが清きよまる
心こころを清きよめる
清まる describes a spontaneous or natural change into a pure state (心が清まる), while 清める indicates an intentional act of purifying something (心を清める).

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 汚よごれを除のぞいて綺麗きれいにする。
  2. 穢けがれを払はらう。
  3. 恥はじや罪つみなどを晴はらす。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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