Japanese word

拭く

Pronunciation

Romajifuku

Meaning

  • verbwipe

Example

テーブルを拭きます。tē bu ru o fu ki ma su

I wipe the table.

Illustration for 拭く (wipe)

More examples

布で机を拭きます。nuno de tsukue o fu ki ma su

I wipe the desk with a cloth.

食事の前に手を拭きます。shoku ji no mae ni te o fu ki ma su

I wipe my hands before eating.

Core concept

Describes moving a cloth or similar material across a surface to remove dirt or moisture.

Common phrases

  • 手を拭くte o fu ku

    wipe one's hands

  • 汚れを拭くyogo re o fu ku

    wipe off dirt

  • テーブルを拭くtē bu ru o fu ku

    wipe the table

  • 汗を拭くase o fu ku

    wipe away sweat

  • 涙を拭くnamida o fu ku

    wipe away tears

Similar words

ぬぐうnugū: To remove dirt, sweat, or moisture by passing a cloth or hand over a surface.
拭き取るfukitoru: To remove dirt or moisture completely from a surface with a cloth or similar material.
磨くmigaku: To rub a surface or object to clean it or improve its smoothness or shine.

Definition in Japanese

布や紙などを表面に当てて動かし、汚れや水分を取り去る。nuno ya kami na do o hyō men ni a te te ugo ka shi yogo re ya sui bun o to ri sa ru

Word origin

拭く (fuku, "to wipe") is a native Japanese verb, and its older etymology is not securely established.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 拭く (fuku) covers both wiping away dirt and drying a surface with a cloth, so context determines whether wipe or dry is the closer English translation.

Other meanings

  • dryverb

Related words

  • 拭き方fukikataway of wipingnoun
  • 拭き取りfukitoriwipingnoun

Word lists with this word