Japanese word

ほうき

Pronunciation

Romajihōki

Meaning

  • nounbroom

Example

毎朝、ほうきで玄関を掃きます。mai asa hō ki de gen kan o ha ki ma su

I sweep the entrance with a broom every morning.

Illustration for ほうき (broom)

More examples

床をほうきで掃きます。yuka o hō ki de ha ki ma su

I sweep the floor with a broom.

使い終わったほうきは、壁の横に立てかけます。tsuka i o wa tta hō ki wa kabe no yoko ni ta te ka ke ma su

After using the broom, I lean it against the wall.

Core concept

A broom gathers loose dirt and dust into a manageable pile through repeated brushing across a surface.

Common phrases

  • ほうきで掃くhō ki de ha ku

    sweep with a broom

  • ほうきとちりとりhō ki to chi ri to ri

    a broom and dustpan

  • ほうきを使うhō ki o tsuka u

    use a broom

Definition in Japanese

柄の先に穂を束ね、床などのごみやほこりを掃き集める道具。gara no saki ni ho o taba ne yuka na do no go mi ya ho ko ri o ha ki atsu me ru dō gu

Word origin

ほうき (hōki) is a native Japanese word whose older form ははき (hahaki) is associated with 掃く (haku, "to sweep"); the precise historical development is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English-speaking children's stories often show witches flying on broomsticks, making the broom a familiar cultural symbol beyond household cleaning.

Word lists with this word