Quick answer
汚 is the kanji for "Dirty". Its reading is けが.す (kegasu). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Dirty
Also : Pollute · Defile · Disgrace · Rape
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
6 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 汚 represents 'DIRTY'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of dirty.
On-reading: お — remember this sound by associating it with dirty. Kun-reading: けが.す.
Example Sentences
工場廃水によって、川が汚染されています。
こうじょうはいすいによって、かわがおせんされています。
The river is polluted by factory wastewater.
汚れた空気を改善するために、植林活動が行われています。
よごれたくうきをかいぜんするために、しょくりんかつどうがおこなわれています。
Afforestation activities are being carried out in order to improve polluted air.
Vocabulary using 汚
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
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