米のとぎ汁
kome no togijiru
The Japanese phrase for rice water is 米のとぎ汁 (kome no togijiru).
米のとぎ汁 refers specifically to the cloudy liquid produced during the initial stages of washing rice, rather than the water used for boiling the rice itself.
Meaning: water being gotten after boiling cleaned rice (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 米 (kome, rice), の (no, possessive particle) and とぎ汁 (togijiru, water used for washing/rinsing).
How do you pronounce it?
kome no togijiru
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese beauty rituals, 米のとぎ汁 was often used as a facial cleanser because the starch and nutrients were believed to brighten the skin.
- The verb とぐ (togu) used in とぎ汁 does not just mean to wash, but specifically refers to the rhythmic scrubbing of grains between your hands to polish them.
- Some Japanese households use 米のとぎ汁 as a natural cleaning agent to wash greasy dishes before using soap.
Examples in context
- お米の水は日本の化粧品に伝統的に使われることがあります。Rice water is traditionally used in some Japanese skincare routines.
- 米のとぎ汁を捨てないでください。Kome no togijiru o sutenaide kudasai.Please do not throw away the rice water.
- 米のとぎ汁は植物に良いです。Kome no togijiru wa shokubutsu ni yoi desu.Rice water is good for plants.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are in the kitchen preparing for gardening.
- 健太 Kenta結衣、米のとぎ汁は使う？Yui, kome no togijiru wa tsukau?Yui, are you going to use the rice water?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、植物の水やりに使うよ。Un, shokubutsu no mizuyari ni tsukau yo.Yes, I'll use it to water the plants.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、ボウルに入れておくね。Jaa, bōru ni irete oku ne.Then, I'll put it in a bowl for you.
- 結衣 Yui健太、ありがとう！Kenta, arigatō!Thanks, Kenta!
