Definition
The process of making something clean or pure, or removing dirt and unwanted things from a place or person.
Etymology
From Old English 'clæne' meaning clean, with the -ing suffix added to show an action or process. The root likely comes from Proto-Germanic, and the sense of 'purifying' developed in Middle English.
Kelly Says
The word 'cleansing' has been used for centuries in both literal (cleaning your body) and figurative ways (cleansing your soul), which is why it appears so often in religious and spiritual texts throughout history.
Translations
BNবাংলা
শুদ্ধিকরণ
shuddhi-karan
CACatalà
neteja
neh-teh-jah
CSČeština
čištění
chees-teen-eh
DADansk
rensning
rens-ning
DEDeutsch
Reinigen
ry-n-ee-gen
ELΕλληνικά
καθαρισμός
ka-tha-ri-smohs
ESEspañol
limpieza
limp-ee-ah
FAفارسی
تمیزکردن
te-meez-kar-den
FISuomi
puhdistus
puh-dis-tus
FRFrançais
nettoyage
net-oh-tay
HIहिन्दी
साफ-सफाई
saaf-safaai
HUMagyar
tisztítás
tish-tee-taash
IDBahasa Indonesia
pembersihan
pem-ber-sihan
ITItaliano
pulizia
poo-lee-tsee-ah
MRMR
शुद्धीकरण
shuddh-ee-karan
MSBahasa Melayu
pembersihan
pem-ber-sihan
MYမြန်မာ
ကျွတ်ပြင်
kywet-pyin
NLNederlands
reiniging
ray-ning-ing
PLPolski
oczyszczanie
ot-sh-chys-cha-nie
PTPortuguês
limpeza
lim-pay-sah
RORomână
curățare
cu-ra-ta-reh
RUРусский
очищение
ochishcheniye
SVSvenska
rengöring
ren-go-ring
SWKiswahili
kuzima
koo-zee-mah
TAதமிழ்
சுத்தம்
sooththam
TEతెలుగు
శుభ్రీకరణ
shubhree-karan
THไทย
การทำความสะอาด
gaan tham khawm sa-at
TLTL
paghuhusay
pah-goo-hoos-ay
TRTürkçe
temizleme
teh-meez-leh-meh
UKУкраїнська
очищення
ochyschennya
VITiếng Việt
làm sạch
lam sach
ZUZU
ukusasa
oo-koo-sah-sah
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Rhetoric of 'ethnic cleansing' derives from gendered language of female 'purity'; historically used to justify violence against women and minorities, conflating bodily and territorial 'cleanliness.'
Inclusive Usage
Avoid metaphorical 'cleansing' language for removal of people or groups; use precise terms like 'removal', 'displacement', or 'elimination'.
Inclusive Alternatives
["removal","displacement","purification (if literal)"]