Japanese word

さする

Pronunciation

Romajisasuru

Meaning

  • verbrub

Example

母は痛い肩をさすります。haha wa ita i kata o sa su ri ma su

Mother rubs her sore shoulder.

Illustration for さする (rub)

More examples

緊張している友達の肩をさすって励まします。kin chō shi te i ru tomo dachi no kata o sa su tte hage ma shi ma su

I rub my nervous friend's shoulder to encourage them.

Core concept

Expresses gentle hand movement across a surface or body part, with contact and friction producing comfort or warmth.

Common phrases

  • 背中をさするse naka o sa su ru

    rub someone's back

  • 肩をさするkata o sa su ru

    rub a shoulder

  • 手をさするte o sa su ru

    rub one's hands

Similar words

なでるnaderu: To touch and move a hand gently across a surface or body part without strong pressure.
こするkosuru: To apply friction by moving something repeatedly over a surface.
揉むmomu: To massage a body part by grasping, pressing, and working its muscles with the hands.

Definition in Japanese

手や指を物の表面や体に軽く触れさせて何度も動かす。te ya yubi o mono no hyō men ya karada ni karu ku fu re sa se te nan do mo ugo ka su

Word origin

さする (sasuru, "to rub") is an old native Japanese verb rather than a compound or loanword; its exact internal formation is uncertain, while its spelling 擦る (sasuru, "to rub") reflects its meaning.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English rub, which can describe vigorous cleaning, さする (sasuru) commonly evokes a soothing action such as rubbing a shoulder or back.

Other meanings

  • massageverb
  • strokeverb

Related words

  • さすり方sasurikataway of rubbingnoun

Word lists with this word