Japanese word

ぼろ

Pronunciation

Romajiboro

Meaning

  • nounrag

Example

このぼろで床を拭きます。ko no bo ro de yuka o fu ki ma su

I wipe the floor with this rag.

Illustration for ぼろ (rag)

More examples

こぼれた水をぼろで拭き取りました。ko bo re ta mizu o bo ro de fu ki to ri ma shi ta

I wiped up the spilled water with a rag.

Core concept

Refers to material whose poor condition makes it look ragged and suitable for use as a cleaning cloth.

Common phrases

  • ぼろで拭くbo ro de fu ku

    wipe with a rag

  • ぼろを絞るbo ro o shibo ru

    wring out a rag

Similar words

雑巾zōkin: A cloth made for wiping dirt and moisture from surfaces.
ウエスuesu: Waste cloth used for wiping, polishing, or cleaning machinery.
古布furugire: Old cloth kept for reuse, often after its original purpose has ended.

Definition in Japanese

古くなって破れたりほつれたりした布や衣類。furu ku na tte yabu re ta ri ho tsu re ta ri shi ta nuno ya i rui

Word origin

ぼろ (boro, "rag") is a native Japanese noun associated with ぼろぼろ (boroboro), a word for a worn or crumbling condition; the earlier source of the form is not certain.

Usage tips

  • The phrase ぼろを出す (boro o dasu) uses the idea of something shabby becoming visible to mean exposing a personal weakness.

Other meanings

  • worn-out clothingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • ぼろぼろboroboroworn-outna-adjective

Word lists with this word